The possibilities and limits of probation in ending a criminal career (desistance)

Annotation:
Research on criminal careers shows that leaving a life of crime is a complex process related to subjective and social factors. Therefore, interventions in the criminal justice system that trigger or strengthen an individual's motivation to change their behaviour while taking advantage of opportunities in everyday life for this change and its maintenance can be effective. This study will examine how probation officer supervision can contribute to the desistance process, identifying key elements in the probation officer–client relationship.

Data from a previous project will be used which examined the probation process for a group of people released from prison on parole. Secondary analysis of this data, particularly the findings from the prospectively designed semi-structured interviews with probation service clients (PMS), should lead to recommendations for probation officers working with offenders.

Responsible researcher: PhDr. Jan Tomášek, Ph.D.
Research team:
PhDr. Lucie Háková, Ph.D.
Mgr. Viktorie Paloušová
Mgr. Jan Rozum
Mgr. Michal Špejra, LL.M.
Duration: 2024-2025