Criminal and positive identity development of young male offenders: pre and post rehabilitation
Journal of Criminal Psychology
ISSN: 2009-3829
Article publication date: 7 March 2023
Issue publication date: 29 June 2023
Abstract
Purpose
The rates of offending and re-offending for young males are higher than any other population. Whilst the UK Ministry of Justice (2020) states that rehabilitation programmes should aim to build a positive identity, little is known about the subjective experiences of how this occurs. Various theories and models suggest that the development of a positive identity assists rehabilitation for young men with convictions (i.e. Johns et al., 2017). Therefore, the current study aimed to gather personal narratives from male, young offenders with the intention of understanding identity development.
Design/methodology/approach
Twelve interviews were conducted with young men with convictions aged between 18 and 25 years who had almost completed a rehabilitation process within the community. Narrative analysis was used to analyse the data. All were engaging with the rehabilitation service as a result of conviction for low to medium level offences, including burglary, harm of another person and drug related offences.
Findings
Three plots were identified which explain identity when committing offences: “The Powerless”, “The Feared” and “The Disconnected”. One plot was evident within the narratives which explained positive identity when rehabilitated: “The Connected”. The findings illustrate the importance of an approach which considers various aspects of a young offender’s life.
Originality/value
The current study further adds to knowledge base of young offender rehabilitation by providing a systemic understanding of how men with convictions’ identity develop pre- and post-rehabilitation. New implications for trauma informed practice are discussed.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The research team would like to acknowledge everyone who played a role in this study specifically the participants and the service provider.
Citation
Jackson, L.A., Kyriakopoulos, A. and Carthy, N. (2023), "Criminal and positive identity development of young male offenders: pre and post rehabilitation", Journal of Criminal Psychology, Vol. 13 No. 3, pp. 173-189. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCP-11-2022-0030
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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