Using 'Turning Points' to Understand Processes of Change in Offending: Notes from a Swedish Study on Life Courses and Crime

Abstract

Processes of within-individual change in offending and desistance from crime can be very complex, often involving multiple, context-specific processes. But even in a generous reading of much research on turning points, while this is theoretically stated or inferred, it is less often shown or illustrated in empirical cases. I explore processes of change in offending with the help of the concept of 'turning points', through life story interviews conducted in the Stockholm Project, trying to make use of the possibilities inherent in qualitative inquiry. I show how life course processes and the turning points that emerge within them are often interdependent on each other, emerging in very context-specific circumstances, and need to be studied and understood and such. Future research areas are suggested.

Does reassessment of risk improve predictions? A framework and examination of the SAVRY and YLS/CMI.

“…If services are not effective or if tools are not sensitive to the ebb and flow of risk in everyday contexts (e.g., among youth receiving usual services), changes in risk might simply reflect measurement error. Second, researchers should explore study designs that may capture idiographic changes, such as singlecase study designs (Barlow & Nock, 2009) and qualitative approaches (Carlsson, 2012). It would also be beneficial to test tools in the context of randomized control trials of interventions.…”

“…Thus, the purpose of the present study was to examine the predictive validity of reassessments using the Structured Assessment of Violence Risk in Youth (SAVRY; Borum, Bartel, & Forth, 2006) and Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (YLS/CMI; Hoge & Andrews, 2002). The SAVRY is a structured professional judgment tool designed to assess violence risk in youth (Borum et al, 2006), whereas the YLS/CMI is designed to assess general reoffense risk in youth (Hoge & Andrews, 2002, 2012. Both tools are widely used (Viljoen, McLachlan, & Vincent, 2010), and predict violent and any reoffending with moderate effect sizes (Olver, Stockdale, & Wormith, 2009;Olver, Stockdale, & Wormith, 2014;Singh, Grann, & Fazel, 2011).…”

Aging bodies and desistance from crime: Insights from the life stories of offenders

“…It is not employment, marriage, military service, residential change or other changes in themselves that bring about desistance, but rather the way such changes under certain circumstances can bring about other changes, which are theoretically understood as central for the desistance processes to emerge. (Carlsson, 2012, p. 3) These 'other changes' that Carlsson (2012) alludes to are the focus of attention of what Rocque (2014) describes as cognitive transformation, agency, and identity theories. These theories are cognitive-based, subjective explanations of how individuals change their outlook on themselves with desistance occurring when offenders no longer regard themselves as criminals (Paternoster and Bushway, 2009;Rumgay, 2004).…”

“…There is, however, some agreement that desistance is best viewed as a process rather than a state (i.e., an abrupt cessation of criminal behaviour) and that it is not an irreversible transition. It can be considered a "zigzag" and "curved" path with crime and non-crime cycles and combines stopping and staying stopped (Carlsson, 2012;Ezell, 2007;Leibrich, 1993;Kazemian & Maruna, 2009;Shapland & Bottom, 2011). Desistance from crime, therefore, can best be conceptualised as a dynamic, non-linear, on-going process that can involve lapses and relapses.…”

“…Thus, desistance resides in the interface of developing personal maturity, changing social bonds associated with certain life transitions and the individual subjective narratives and identity (McNeill, 2006). Supporting this view, Massagolia and Uggen (2010) argue that marriage, employment, and desistance from criminal activity are part of traditional adult status markers, while Carlsson (2012) confirms that processes of 'family formation, stable employment, the disintegration of peer groups and subjective shifts in identity are changes that tend to emerge at certain stages in the life and have been shown to be important for understanding changes in offending' (p.…”