This is a timely and important contribution to desistance research. Drawing on rich, original data, this book sheds light on the transitions from youth to adulthood for those in the criminal justice system. Thoughtful, grounded and compassionate, it deepens our understanding of how young men on probation navigate identity, agency and social structures, and does so in a way that really matters.
Dr Jake Phillips, Associate Professor, Institute of Criminology, University of Cambridge
This important book offers a compelling exploration of young men navigating desistance from crime in the context of youth transitions. Grounded in rich narratives and practitioner insights, it illuminates how personal agency, social context, and policy intersect to shape early desistance and the journey into adulthood. It is essential reading.
Professor Nicola Carr, Trinity College Dublin
The transition to adulthood has always been central to criminology the same act is labelled delinquency on one side of that transition and crime on the other. Yet, Kays rich data and insightful analysis suggest that the nature of this transition is changing as are the concepts of youth and adulthood, themselves. The book is an essential read for reimagining youth justice.
Professor Shadd Maruna, University of Liverpool
