Cover Page
The handle
http://hdl.handle.net/1887/77442
holds various files of this Leiden University
dissertation.
Author: Doekhie, J.V.O.R.
DIMENSIONS OF DESISTANCE
A QUALITATIVE LONGITUDINAL ANALYSIS OF DIFFERENT
DIMENSIONS OF THE DESISTANCE PROCESS AMONG
LONG-TERM PRISONERS IN THE NETHERLANDS
colofon
© Jennifer Doekhie, 2019 ISBN: 978-94-92801-94-4
DIMENSIONS OF DESISTANCE
A qualitative longitudinal analysis of different dimensions of the desistance process among long-term prisoners in the Netherlands
Proefschrift
Ter verkrijging van
de graad van Doctor aan de Universiteit Leiden, op gezag van Rector Magnificus prof. mr. C.J.J.M. Stolker
volgens besluit van het College voor Promoties te verdedigen op donderdag 5 september 2019
klokke 13.45 uur.
door
Jennifer Varsha Oemla Rafia Doekhie geboren te Amsterdam
Promotiecommissie
Promotor: prof. dr. P. Nieuwbeerta
Co-promotor: dr. A.J.E. Dirkzwager (Nederlands Studiecentrum voor Criminaliteit en Rechtshandhaving)
Promotiecommissie: prof. mr. dr. M.M. Boone prof. mr. dr. P.M. Schuyt prof. mr. dr. T. Liefaard
prof. dr. F. McNeill (University of Glasgow, Scotland) dr. A. van den Hurk (Dienst Justitiële Inrichtingen)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1 Introduction
9
1.1 Background 9
1.2 Theories on desistance from crime 11
1.3 Previous research on desistance from crime 17
1.4 This study 25
1.5 The Dutch penal landscape 31
1.6 Societal relevance of this study 34
1.7 Outline study 36
Chapter 2 Methodology
39
2.1 Introduction 39
2.2 Population and participants 40
2.3 Fieldwork 45
2.4 Interviews 50
2.5 Parole files and criminal records 58
2.6 Life stories 59
Life story 1 Desister ‘Changing identity’ 63
Chapter 3 The Men
71
3.1 Description of participants by themselves 71
3.2 Demographics 73
3.3 Legal framework 73
3.4 Life during imprisonment 74
3.5 Social situation 77
3.6 Criminal behaviour 82
Life story 2 Persister ‘Doomed to deviance?’ 83
Chapter 4
To Desist or Not to Desist?
91
Abstract 91
4.1 Introduction 92
4.2 Methods 98
4.3 Results 101
4.4 Discussion 107
Chapter 5 Early Attempts at Desistance from Crime
117
Abstract 117
5.1 Introduction 118
5.2 The Dutch context 122
5.3 Design 122
5.4 Results 126
5.5 Discussion 134
Life story 4 Persister ‘Less serious crime’ 139
Chapter 6 House, Bells and Bliss?
147
Abstract 147
6.1 Introduction 148
6.2 Methodology 152
6.3 Findings 156
6.4 Conclusion and discussion 162
Life story 5 Desister ‘Conventional goals’ 167
Chapter 7 Managing Risk or Supporting Desistance?
175 Abstract 1757.1 Introduction 176
7.2 Methodology 180
7.3 Findings 185
7.4 Discussion 196
Life story 6 Persister ‘Game playing’ 201
Chapter 8 General Discussion 209
8.1 Introduction 209
8.2 Summary of findings 211
8.3 Theoretical considerations 217
8.4 Methodological reflection 222
8.5 Policy implications 226
