Ending a criminal spin by applying the positive criminology (not positivistic) perspective

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

Abstract

While criminology usually studies forces of exclusion at all levels, positive criminology (PC) is an innovative perspective that embraces theories and models that focus on the impact of integrating forces. PC focuses on the encounters of individuals and groups with influences that are experienced as positive and assist them in desisting from crime. The main goal of PC is to strengthen the use of positive components (e.g., acceptance, gratitude, role-modelling, compassion, spirituality) in prevention and rehabilitation programs, which in turn can help offenders develop similar qualities and increase their chances of recovery. PC adopts a phenomenological perception of crime as representing a spinning flywheel process (acute or chronic, at individual, group, or social levels): once set in motion, it preserves its own continuity, with a growing self-centeredness of the individuals and groups involved. Positive criminology offers complementary, sustainable ways out of this flywheel motion.
Original languageAmerican English
Pages256-256
Number of pages1
StatePublished - 2011
EventThe 11th annual conference of the European Society of Criminology - Vilnius, Lithuania
Duration: 1 Sep 20112 Sep 2011

Conference

ConferenceThe 11th annual conference of the European Society of Criminology
Country/TerritoryLithuania
CityVilnius
Period1/09/112/09/11

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