Offender Accountability Above All? Perceptions of Intentionality and Control Across Criminal Trajectories and the Desistance Process

Conference by Marie-Ève Dubois
Wednesday, October 22, 2025 | 11:45 AM – 1:00 PM
Room C-6070, Pavillon Lionel-Groulx, Université de Montréal & via Zoom

Registration required for in-person attendance

Registration required for Zoom access

(After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with the option to add this event to your calendar.)

---

Abstract :

Knowledge regarding the influence of heterogeneous criminal trajectories on the desistance process remains limited. Beyond the objective characteristics of a trajectory (such as duration and type of offense), individuals’ subjective experiences and the meaning they attribute to delinquency play a critical role in this process. In this context, the overarching aim of this presentation is to examine how perceptions of control and intentionality evolve throughout criminal trajectories and during the desistance process. Drawing on data collected from 27 adults who had ceased their criminal involvement, the findings highlight the complexity and dynamic nature of perceptions of intentionality, as well as the diversity of meanings attributed to both the criminal experience and the process of desistance. These results invite critical reflection on the emphasis placed on accountability within the penal system.

Biography: 

Marie-Ève Dubois

Marie-Ève holds a PhD in Criminology from the Université de Montréal and is a Professor of Psychoeducation at the Université du Québec en Outaouais. Her research focuses on social reintegration, criminal trajectories, and desistance from crime, with particular attention to the practical applications of research for intervention.