000			03205nam a22002897a 4500
999			_c3782 _d3782
003			FVC
005			20250625151313.0
008			120307t2012 -nz||||| |||| 00| 0 eng d
040			_aFVC
100			_aCarpenter, Craig _92902
245			_aYoung people and desistance from crime: _bperspectives from New Zealand _cCraig Carpenter
246			_aA thesis submitted to Victoria University of Wellington in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Criminology
260			_c2012
300			_a122 p.; computer file: PDF format
520			_aThis thesis examines the process by which young people stop, or „desist‟ from, criminal offending in New Zealand. It does so by presenting insights on desistance gained from observations and interviews with young ex-offenders and those who work closely with them. In doing so, it avoids the exaggerated responses to youth crime expressed in political rhetoric and the popular media, and instead focuses on factors that are deemed most valuable in desistance by those most involved. This primary research is presented in the context of the existing literature that establishes desistance as a process influenced by the interaction of multiple variables including individual, social, and structural factors. Analysis of structural factors highlights the need for young people, especially those who experience economic marginalisation or racial discrimination, to be provided with opportunities to change. While the current New Zealand youth justice system generally does well to limit the negative impact of formal system contact for young people, it is noted that the focus on individual plans and strategies fails to adequately address social relations and structural conditions that are integral to desistance processes. The results of this study show that young desisters have mainstream aspirations for stable employment and relationships. Key factors of desistance identified in this study include the influence of „growing up‟, family support and positive relationships. In other words, desistance from crime was the result of moving towards something positive in life. It is therefore argued that desistance is also more likely to be sustained with ongoing personal and social support. Rather than being passive victims of structural inequalities, or completely rational actors, this study found young desisters to be influenced by a combination of structural, social and individual factors. The ultimate recommendation is to enhance existing policy through wider strategies that address structural issues, such as poverty and unemployment, together with the development of social and cultural capital, so that desistance processes can be further encouraged in New Zealand‟s young offenders. ABSTRACT
650	2	7	_aADOLESCENTS _943
650	2	0	_aVOICES OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE _99758
650	2	7	_aOFFENDERS _9413
650	2	7	_9164 _aCRIME PREVENTION
650	2	7	_9568 _aSOCIOECONOMIC FACTORS
650	2	7	_9325 _aINTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
650	2	7	_aYOUNG PEOPLE _9660
650	2	7	_9666 _aYOUTH JUSTICE
651		4	_aNEW ZEALAND _92588
856			_uhttp://hdl.handle.net/10063/2047
942			_2ddc _cTHESIS