Employment paths after release from prison: The meaning of work for desistance and social integration

Employment is central for social integration and desistance from crime after release from prison. While prior research has focused mainly on the effect of employment on recidivism or desistance from crime, we have less knowledge of the meanings released individuals ascribe to employment in their social integration and desistance processes. In this article we narratively analyse longitudinal interview data with 22 individuals before and after their release from Finnish open prisons. We identified three employment paths after release, represented as narratives: 1) inclusion, 2) exclusion, and 3) liminality in relation to labour market participation and social integration. The findings show that employment after release was perceived both as an important routine activity and as a prosocial change that supports desistance, but that access to it is largely shaped by individuals’ social capital. We argue that exploring different employment paths and conceptualising liminality in integration are crucial for understanding both desistance processes and broader social integration.