Introduction

In this chapter, I introduce the project, an exploration of desistance processes for women leaving a provincial prison. I provide context for the physical and social locations of the research. The research was conducted in an eastern Canadian province with a small population and large geography, which impacts the services provided to women in prison and upon leaving. I introduce three theoretical frameworks of desistance (cognitive, self-narrative, and social harms) used to understand how women create a life for themselves after leaving prison. Additionally, I provide a brief synopsis of the methodology used for the project and introduce the sample groups: formerly incarcerated women and service providers who work with them.