Desistence Journey of Drug Abusers in Singapore

This series of research studies on desistance focuses on understanding some of the factors that helped ex-offenders successfully desist from their offending or drug abuse lifestyles. We looked at the stories of long-term desisters (i.e. > 5 years) and found five important factors that facilitated long-term success: (1) sustained motivation and a sense of agency; (2) positive mindset shifts; (3) greater social capital; and (4) positive lifestyle shifts. Desistance requires many hands on board, including staff and partners. Social support was found to play a huge part in successful desistance, and relational desistance, which is their desire for recognition and encouragement from others, is one of the ideas studied.

Additionally, we also looked at gender-specific factors of the desistance journey for female ex-offenders. Female desisters presented with better coping and reasoning skills, more supportive social relationships, meaning and purpose in their lives, and an emphasis on their personal growth and development. Compared to male desisters, they highlighted more relational factors for change such as their families and children being their primary motivation, the importance of emotional connectedness with significant loved ones, and were more willing to receive supervision from their loved ones. A summary of the report is also presented as an infographic by Fann Jiang and Bernice Tan.

Download documents here:

1) From Relapse to Desistance: The Process of Desistance for Female Drug Offenders [PDF, 633 KB] ↗ (opens in new tab)

2) Drug Desistance & Relapse: Long-Term Drug Desisters vs Repeat Drug Abusers [PDF, 380 KB] ↗ (opens in new tab)

3) Supporting Desistance In Prison [PDF, 154 KB] ↗ (opens in new tab)

4) Desistance Journey of Female Drug Offenders in Singapore [PDF, 270 KB] ↗ (opens in new tab)