Young people’s perspectives: The trials and tribulations of going straight

Abstract

This article reports on a study which comprised secondary analysis of 112 semi-structured interviews with 50 young people who had desisted from offending and 62 who had never offended. The findings highlight the need to conceptualize desistance as a two stage process. Desistance tales, which featured in the interviews, describe the events leading up to the point at which offenders ceased to offend. However, desistance also involves staying straight and the challenges of this second phase are illuminated. Desisters and non-offenders experienced a lack of kudos, reported being bullied and were tempted to offend, although for desisters this was more pervasive and covered a wider range of offences. The point of divergence was in respect of the pleasures associated with offending, which many desisters observed were now missing from their lives. It is clear that both desisters and non-offenders have something to lose by not offending and that maintaining their non-offending status constitutes a struggle not previously reflected in adult representations of youth. That non-offending is achieved at a price is evidenced by the trials and tribulations they encounter. Finally, the advantages and limitations of secondary analysis of qualitative data are considered and the method is recommended for criminological researchers.