“Look at me now” – themes from prisoner accounts of desistance from dual harming behaviours in prison

Purpose While those who dual harm (use self-harm and violence to others) are considered to constitute approximately 11%–16% of the prison population, dual harmers have been identified as causing approximately half of the prison incidents that take place (Slade, 2018a; Slade et al., 2020). The purpose of this study is to explore the narratives of those who have been successful in desisting from dual harm within a custodial setting. Design/methodology/approach Prisoners within one of His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) regions with a history of dual harm in custody who had desisted from this behaviour for at least six months were identified. Reflexive Thematic analysis was used to analyse semi-structured interviews with 12 of these prisoners. Findings Analysis identified four superordinate themes, three of which are explored here: It's not me anymore, Momentum and I am not alone. The findings of this study enhance understanding of the factors which are helpful in supporting those who desist from dual harm in custody. Practical implications Through understanding these perspectives of those who desist from dual harm in custody, we can significantly influence policy and practical application to enable the change process. Originality/value The limited research in this area to date has predominantly focused on risk factors and characteristics of the dual harm population. This research explores the factors associated with desistance from dual harming behaviours in custody.