Desistance from absconding: “You’ve got to have hope”
The Journal of Forensic Practice
ISSN: 2050-8794
Article publication date: 26 November 2020
Issue publication date: 22 April 2020
Abstract
Purpose
This paper explores absconding from a new perspective. Literature has tended to focus on the risk factors linked with absconding. This paper aims to consider desistance factors for absconding for prisoners at higher risk of absconding in open prisons.
Design/methodology/approach
Stage 1 used logistic regression to identify factors associated with increased risk of absconding. Stage 2 identified new receptions with increased risk and used thematic analysis to analyse interviews with prisoners that did not abscond after three months.
Findings
Stage 1 found that the total number of previous offences predicted absconding. Stage 2 found three themes linked to desistance in absconding: “support”, “ownership” and “sense of self”.
Practical implications
This study highlights the importance of ensuring prisoners in open prisons are offered the appropriate emotional and practical support. It also identifies the importance of hope amongst prisoners in open conditions. Future research should further explore this idea in more depth.
Originality/value
Previous literature has looked at absconding from a risk factor perspective. This research identifies the desistance factors associated with absconding for individuals who have been identified as high risk of absconding. Improvements in factors associated with desistance from absconding may support a reduction in absconding from open prisons.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Note this research was funded by HMPPS.
Citation
Emirali, A., O'Rourke, R. and Friendship, C. (2020), "Desistance from absconding: “You’ve got to have hope”", The Journal of Forensic Practice, Vol. 22 No. 4, pp. 223-234. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFP-04-2020-0020
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited