Work, Identity, and Desistance: A Narrative Analysis of Justice-Involved Youth Through Desistance Theory

This study examines the narratives of 30 young individuals with offending histories in Pakistan who participated in an employment-based rehabilitation program and maintained desistance for at least 2 years. The study explores the intersection of cognitive transformation, identity reconstruction , and social reintegration through the lenses of three prominent desistance theories. Findings indicate that employment served as a significant hook for change , fostering cognitive shifts, prosocial identity formation, and social reintegration. Participants articulated a transition from a feared self to a redefined self-image, often reinforced through structured work environments and positive social relationships. The results underscore the importance of employment-based rehabilitation in shaping a noncriminal identity and sustaining long-term desistance, particularly among young individuals with offending histories in developing countries. By integrating theoretical frameworks with empirical narratives, this research contributes to criminological discourse on identity transformation and the social mechanisms of desistance.