desistence

English

Noun

desistence (plural desistences)

1. The act of desisting, especially desisting from criminal activity.
   • 1951, Boletim geral das colónias - Issues 307-310, page 257:

     But that great offensive of promises, engagement formulas, partial desistences, will not become operative, because it seems that the declarations of good will cannot be taken at 100 % of their value.

   • 1992, Forum on Corrections Research - Volumes 4-6:

     There is little understanding of the factors that lead to desistence.

   • 2016, Anthony Baxter, From Prisoner to Phd: Reflections on My Pathway to Desistance from Crime and Addiction, →ISBN:

     Farrell and Maruna (2004) construed the concept of desistence in terms of its primary and secondary manifestations. Whereas primary desistence describes a halt in the commission of criminal behavior, secondary desistence describes a permanent leaving off criminal behavior due to dis-identification with the criminal role.