Identifying Desistance Pathways in a Higher Education Program for Formerly Incarcerated Individuals.

Area of Science:

• Criminology
• Sociology of Education
• Higher Education Studies

Background:

• The relationship between education and crime is complex, influenced by individual, social, and environmental factors.
• Formerly incarcerated individuals face significant barriers to successful reintegration into society.
• Educational pathways are crucial for addressing recidivism and promoting desistance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the educational experiences of formerly incarcerated individuals in a higher education program.
• To examine the role of post-incarceration education as a catalyst for change and desistance.
• To identify impediments to academic and social development within this population.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study utilizing face-to-face interviews.
• Data collected from 34 current and former students in a higher education program at a northeastern U.S. university.
• Exploration of participants' educational pathways and their impact on desistance.

Main Results:

• Participation in higher education significantly propelled the desistance process for research participants.
• Educational experiences served as a critical "hook for change," fostering personal agency.
• Challenges such as street influences, financial constraints, and stigma were identified as impediments.

Conclusions:

• Higher education programs are vital for supporting the reintegration and desistance of formerly incarcerated individuals.
• Sustaining personal agency through education is key to crime avoidance post-release.
• Further research is needed on the long-term implications of higher education for reducing crime.