Abstract
While most research on desistance targets Western contexts, we offer a point of comparison through an examination of the experiences of a selected group of male ex-offenders upon their discharge from prison in Hong Kong. To achieve this aim, this qualitative study gives a detailed account of Hong Kong ex-prisoners' accounts of desistance. Semi-structured interviews focusing on prisoner re-entry were conducted with 23 Hong Kong Chinese ex-prisoners. Particularly salient themes to explain the process of going straight in Hong Kong were the importance of social support and family, as well as religion. Ex-prisoners were particularly critical of the rehabilitative efficacy of Hong Kong's prisons as well as post-supervision programmes. These criticisms were related to concerns regarding Hong Kong's competitive and materialistic culture delimiting efforts to desist from crime.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 577-590 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| Journal | British Journal of Criminology |
| Volume | 52 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - May 2012 |
| Externally published | Yes |
UN SDGs
This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
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SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Keywords
- desistance
- going straight
- Hong Kong
- narratives
- social capital
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pathology and Forensic Medicine
- Social Psychology
- Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
- Law
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