RESEARCH PROJECTS
EXPLORING HOW MEN WHO HAVE COMMITTED SEXUAL OFFENCES AND HAVE A HISTORY OF SEXUAL VICTIMISATION EXPERIENCE LIFE IN A THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITY
January 2018 - January 2019
Funded by National Association for Treatment of Sexual Offenders
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Research has shown that a large proportion of men serving serving sentences for sexual offences have themselves been victims of sexual abuse. Likewise, research has also shown that a Therapeutic Community (TC) provides a uniquely effective environment for addressing the offending of these men. The prison where this project is taking place is a TC that works not just in group and individual therapy, but integrates a therapeutic rationale in how it is ran: the men engage in democratic processes such as wing meetings with staff and have a say in which research is conducted in the prison, for example. Yet the adverse histories may create unique challenges for these men's engagement in TC. This project aims to explore these challenges. A TC is characterised by openness, honesty and communication. Yet prisons are also hyper-masculine environments. How do adverse histories of sexual abuse affect the extent to which sexual offenders are able to engage in therapy - be in group therapy or the everyday like of a TC? Moreover, how do they construct their moral narratives? On the one hand, a TC may encourage them to talk openly about their adverse histories, but there is a risk that the men will be perceived as using such histories as "techniques of neutralisation" or excuses for their offending. On the other hand, the men might be vary of being seen as using excuses and therefore be reluctant to engage openly with their adverse histories. At a time where sexual offending courses are under media attack due to recent reports as to their effectiveness, it is critical to explore the challenges inherent in doing therapy with this group of men. We will be able to learn valuable lessons and improve treatment.
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'HE'S GOT A LIFE SENTENCE, BUT I HAVE A LIFE SENTENCE TO COPE WITH AS WELL': THE EXPERIENCES OF LONG-TERM PRISONERS' PARTNERS
2013 - 2017
Funded by Sir Halley Stewart Trust
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There is a small, but growing, body of research on prisoners' families. It has shown that these families experience numerous pains and deprivations associated with imprisonment, ranging from financial hardship to social (stigma) and emotional issues. It has also been suggested that long sentences could exacerbate and prolong these problems. However, no studies on long-term prisoners have yet been conducted in the UK. This study explored the experiences of 33 long-term prisoners' partners. Prison sociology, which has highlighted the social experiences of prisoners, and long-term imprisonment specifically, was used to inform the analysis. Themes such as coping with the pains of imprisonment over time and with the length of the sentence and time passing were explored. It was shown that partners were fundamentally changed, on an identity level, by a long sentence.
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For a brief overview of the findings, see: Lost time, stigma and adaptation