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Desistance from Crime: An Empirical Study of Crime Behavior of Released Male Prisoners in Bangladesh

Corresponding Author : Khairul Chowdhury (kchowdhury@du.ac.bd)

Authors : Khairul Chowdhury (kchowdhury@du.ac.bd)

Keywords : Desistance, Recidivism, Ontogenic theory, Sociogenic theory, Integrative theory

Abstract :

Why do some offenders repeat offenses while others refrain from committing a further crime? This paper addresses the question within the integrative criminological approach that combines ontogenic and sociogenic factors of desistance into a single theoretical framework. It uses logistic regression to test how age – the most important ontogenic factor – and several sociogenic factors explain the chances of desistance of 62 male prisoners released from Tangail Central Jail in 2010 and surveyed in 2018. The empirical model finds age, crime type, family relation type, and affiliation with a political party significantly explain desistance. The paper contributes to the emerging discipline of criminology in Bangladesh. It also generates valuable insights for the policymakers in the country willing to reform its criminal justice and anti-terrorism systems.   

Published on December 31st, 2021 in Volume 32, Issue 2, Social Sciences