Redeeming Desistance: From Individual Journeys to a Social Movement

Maruna, Shadd ORCID: 0000-0002-4978-7073 (2025) Redeeming Desistance: From Individual Journeys to a Social Movement Criminology (Beverly Hills), 63 (1). pp. 1-21. ISSN 0011-1384, 1745-9125

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Abstract

Early desistance research identified a key role for redemption scripts in the process of desisting from crime. This research emerged in an incredibly punitive environment at the turn of the century, when core beliefs about human redeemability were being challenged by popular and academic theories about incorrigible predators incapable of change. Desistance research made a profound impact, inspiring academic scholarship and changes to the policy and practice of reintegration. However, desistance research can also be accused of numerous crimes, as well, ranging from the adoption of an overly individualistic framing to the usurpation of the voices of research contributors. Fortunately, redemption is possible. A new generation of desistance theory and research now explicitly addresses the political and cultural factors impacting the desistance process and proposes that these hardened prejudices will only be changed by supporting a social movement led by and for system-impacted people. With their proven ability to inspire hope and promote action, redemption scripts may, again, be a key tool in such a movement.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	credible messengers, desistance, lived experience, narrative, social movements
Divisions:	Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences > School of Law and Social Justice
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	08 Apr 2025 14:37
Last Modified:	28 Feb 2026 01:28
DOI:	10.1111/1745-9125.12393
Related Websites:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3191272
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