Focusing on the lives of first and second generation British Pakistani young adult men and those approaching middle age, who offend or have offended, and the experiences of their fathers bringing them up in a de-industrialised city, this book examines the influence of social relations on their moves toward and away from crime.

Focusing on the lives of first and second generation British Pakistani young adult men and those approaching middle age, who offend or have offended, and the experiences of their fathers bringing them up in a de-industrialised city, this book examines the influence of social relations on their moves toward and away from crime, particularly the impact of father-son relationships. It seeks to understand their transitions as they aged; the meanings they place on their ethno-cultural, social and economic marginalization; and the licit and illicit opportunities and constraints that influence identity and social integration, and their place in British society. British Pakistanis and Desistance focuses on the distinct social, cultural and economic context and the relations in which their offending and desistance takes place, such as family formation, education, prison, neighbourhood change and long-term changes in the types, availability and quality of work. Sketching a 'life-course' approach, it locates desistance theory and its application within the relationship between biography and social structure, using a case study of entrepreneurial criminality as an attempt at recovery from de-industrialisation. An accessible and compelling read, this book will appeal to students and scholars of criminology, sociology, desistance, social policy and all those interested in the lived experience of British Pakistani men.

Focusing on the lives of first and second generation British Pakistani young adult men and those approaching middle age, who offend or have offended, and the experiences of their fathers bringing them up in a de-industrialised city, this book examines the influence of social relations on their moves toward and away from crime, particularly the impact of father-son relationships. It seeks to understand their transitions as they aged; the meanings they place on their ethno-cultural, social and economic marginalization; and the licit and illicit opportunities and constraints that influence identity and social integration, and their place in British society. British Pakistanis and Desistance focuses on the distinct social, cultural and economic context and the relations in which their offending and desistance takes place, such as family formation, education, prison, neighbourhood change and long-term changes in the types, availability and quality of work. Sketching a ‘life-course’ approach, it locates desistance theory and its application within the relationship between biography and social structure, using a case study of entrepreneurial criminality as an attempt at recovery from de-industrialisation. An accessible and compelling read, this book will appeal to students and scholars of criminology, sociology, desistance, social policy and all those interested in the lived experience of British Pakistani men.

The Britain of the early twenty-first century has become consumed by heightened concerns about violent crime and terrorism in relation to Muslim communities in the West. Here Marta Bolognani fills a major gap in criminology and diaspora studies through an exhaustive investigation into crime among British Pakistanis. Through detailed ethnographic observation and interview data, Bolognani shows how Bradford Pakistanis' perceptions of crime and control are a combination of the formal and informal, or British and 'traditional' Pakistani, that are no longer separable in the diasporic context. She also examines local and national state policies that are geared to preventing crime and shows how crime comes to be understood by participants as well as institutional actors. Offering a counterpoint to the 'taboo' of talking about crime and race in cultural terms, "Crime in Muslim Britain" is essential for all those interested in criminology, ethnicity and the predicaments of Muslim communities today.

In recent years there has been significant negative attention towards young British male Muslims, who are perceived to be increasingly dangerous and criminal. However, very little is known about those who offend, as few studies have attempted to understand their lived experience. After spending four years with a group of young British Pakistani Muslim men who were involved in a range of offending behaviours, Qasim gained unique first-hand insight into their multifaceted lives. In this book he unwraps their lives, taking into account their socio-economic situation, the make-up of their community, cultural and religious influences which impacted on them and their involvement in crime. He explores their identities and explains what role, if any, religion and Pakistani culture play in their criminal behaviour. With a focus on the apparent link with gun crime and drug dealing, this important book exposes the complex nature of the young men’s pathways into crime.

This book gives voice to justice-involved Canadian youth and young adults by sharing their views on their journey towards desistance from crime and social and community (re)integration. Building on interviews with 140 justice-involved youth and young adults (aged 16 to 35), the book explores the challenges they faced while they were under the control of the justice system, the ways in which they navigated the obstacles they came up against, and the support they needed to overcome them. What and who they consider to be facilitators in their journeys is presented. The book also examines experiences of assisted desistance in different settings, such as incarceration, addiction services, and community supervision. What distinguishes this book is its focus on how justice-involved youth and young adults perceive their own experiences of desistance from crime and social and community (re)integration. An accessible and compelling read, Understanding Desistance from Crime and Social and Community (Re)Integration will be of interest to those engaged with desistance studies, rehabilitation, re-entry, juvenile and adult justice, and recovery from addiction.

This handbook brings together cutting-edge research from key contributors on the rapidly expanding and fast-changing field of UK youth gangs. It examines the contours of the academic debates, describes and explains the origins and evolution of violent street gangs in the UK against a backdrop of globalization, and discusses the factors surrounding the emergence of these gangs in each of the four UK nations and some English regions. It also examines the relationship between gangs and wider issues relating to gender, ethnicity, drug distribution and organised crime. It critically assesses the potential and limitations of ‘Public Health’ approaches to gang violence reduction and the government’s policy responses to violent street gangs in the UK. Providing a broad examination of the latest UK gangs research, with international comparisons, it is essential reading for undergraduate and post-graduate students, in criminology, sociology, social policy and law, policy makers at local and central government level, and practitioners in the fields of law, policing, youth work, social work, housing and workers in dedicated voluntary sector organizations.