Inside or Outside the Criminal Justice System? The Example of Community Chaplaincy

Dominey, Jane

doi:10.1111/hojo.12320

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…There is little in the way of empirical evidence that examines the intricacies of the relationships between the PVSOs, their staff and their service users (Dominey, 2019). However, Tomczak and Thompson (2019) emphasised the importance of “ Inclusionary control ”, whereby strict rules and punishments are considered less significant by PVSOs, in favour of prison-leavers having the agency to direct their own resettlement and desistance journeys, with the assistance of their support worker.…”

Section: Faithmentioning

confidence: 99%

The interplay of social capital, faith, and offender resettlement

Plimley

2024

JCRPP

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Purpose This paper aims to explore the intricate relationship between social capital, faith and prison-leaver resettlement, emphasising how penal voluntary sector organisations (PVSOs) aid prison-leavers in their resettlement and desistance journeys, following incarceration. Design/methodology/approach Employing a combination of narrative and thematic analysis, data was collected from 20 prison-leavers in England through semi-structured interviews. Purposive and snowball sampling was used to recruit participants from various community-based resettlement settings. Findings Thematic analysis revealed the emergence of faith in various iterations in facilitating desistance, Transforming Rehabilitation failure, identity transformation of the prison-leaver, the role of social capital in effective resettlement and the importance of PVSOs. In particular, the findings demonstrate the vital role of a “Faith Anchor”, defined in this paper as a trust-based relationship with an individual or spiritual entity, in facilitating desistance. This paper argues the need to recognise and fully integrate social capital building, faith and specialised support from PVSOs, as essential components of successful offender resettlement and desistance journeys. Research limitations/implications The study considers the connection between faith, social capital and offender resettlement. Although demonstrating the role of faith in positive change and community engagement, there are limitations. Primarily, by exclusively recruiting participants through PVSOs, it might overlook varied resettlement experiences. Additionally, measuring desistance is complex and is limited by some academic views that it centres around abstinence. Although small-scale saturation was reached; generalisation should be approached with caution. Notably, post-Transforming Rehabilitation, the human cost of resettlement gaps became evident. Future research could benefit from a longitudinal lens, tracing desistance beyond initial PVSO interactions and offering richer, longitudinal insights. Practical implications Significance of “faith anchors”: A “faith anchor” aids the desistance process. Integrating faith in resettlement offers emotional support for prison leavers. Value of social capital: It is pivotal for offender resettlement. Positive social networks are key for successful reintegration. Role of PVSOs: They provide vital resettlement support. Enhanced collaboration can optimise assistance for prison leavers. Addressing current system shortcomings: Rectifying the effects of Transforming Rehabilitation ensures holistic support, catering to prison leavers’ needs. Concept of “faith exchange”: Merging faith and support offers tailored resettlement approaches, fostering effective reintegration. Social implications The study underscores the social implications of effective offender resettlement strategies. The integration of “faith anchors” and social capital aids in the personal rehabilitation of prison leavers and also supports community cohesion. By acknowledging faith as indictive to building trust-based relationships, communities can reduce the stigma associated with former offenders, promoting inclusivity and understanding. Additionally, the essential role of PVSOs highlights the value of community-driven initiatives in supporting reintegration. A combined approach that combines faith, social capital and community support can reshape societal perspectives on desistance, encouraging a more inclusive and empathetic approach to offender reintegration. Originality/value The insights gained contribute to the evolving discourse on prison-leaver resettlement and desistance and uniquely highlight the potential of a combined approach between social capital, faith and voluntary sector support, in achieving desistance goals. The term “faith exchange” emerges from this study as an original conceptual contribution, accentuating the relationship between faith and support in resettlement and desistance.

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Section: Faithmentioning

confidence: 99%

The interplay of social capital, faith, and offender resettlement

Plimley

2024

JCRPP

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“…• the history and role of the faith-based voluntary sector (e.g. community chaplaincy) in the penal system (Dominey, 2019);…”

Section: The Penal Voluntary Sectormentioning

confidence: 99%

Identifying, navigating, resisting, and eliminating structural stigma and the collateral consequences of punishment: The role of the penal voluntary sector in supporting people with criminal records in Canada

McAleese¹

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This dissertation examines how actors within Canada's penal voluntary sector identify, navigate, resist, and strive to eliminate structural stigma and collateral consequences of punishment. Using an approach to qualitative research informed by institutional ethnography, anti-oppressive practice, and public criminology, my research explores how practitioners attempt to support people with criminal records despite many exclusionary policies and practices -including those enforced by the penal voluntary sector itself -that create obstacles to various social domains (e.g., employment and housing). This research is motivated by my experience working in the penal voluntary sector during a period (2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012)(2013)(2014)(2015) in which many punitive policies, including changes to Canada's Criminal Records Act, were brought into effect by a federal Conservative government and maintained by a subsequent Liberal government.To understand the penal voluntary sector's role in supporting people with criminal records in the community, I conducted twenty-two interviews with various sector actors. I also attended several conferences, meetings, and events alongside practitioners to stay connected to the sector and ensure an ongoing understanding of the important issues to people with criminal records and those who support them. Additionally, I incorporated analysis of texts (e.g., policies, forms/assessments, public consultation reports, parliamentary committee studies) to frame the political, institutional, and social relations that shape the day-to-day experiences of practitioners and the people they support in the community. Finally, I engaged public criminology as part of my research methodology and included reflections on my advocacy work throughout the dissertation.While critical sociologists and criminologists mostly describe the penal voluntary sector as a net-widening mechanism, I maintain that understanding the day-to-day work within the sector is crucial to identifying, navigating, resisting, and eventually eliminating structural stigma and collateral consequences of punishment. Additionally, I contend that spaces where practitioners meet (e.g., conferences) are key sites for developing communities of care through which academics, practitioners, advocates, and people with criminal records can work towards a just transition from penal and other related systems (e.g., homelessness). Finally, I reflect on academia's role in resisting and eliminating carceral power and structural stigma and on the lessons learned from my efforts at doing so. vi 5. Navigating .

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The Penal Voluntary Sector’s Role in the Nordic Countries: A Shadow State?

Olesen,

Helminen,

Bäcklin

2023

Palgrave Socio-Legal Studies

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This chapter analyses and compares the challenges faced by the Danish, Finnish, and Swedish penal voluntary sector organisations (PVSOs). Our data indicates that the main challenges across the three Nordic countries relate to precarious funding structures and disorganised co-operation with the prison and probation services. Furthermore, the Nordic PVSOs are subjected to many similar constraints regarding their independence and critical voice as noted in previous Anglophone research. We argue that neoliberal transformations have increased the importance of Nordic PVSOs and placed them in a sense in a position of a shadow state. We also suggest that the PVSOs’ unstable position compromises prisoners’ and released prisoners’ access to welfare rights and jeopardises their possibilities for successful reintegration.

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Inside or Outside the Criminal Justice System? The Example of Community Chaplaincy

Cited by 3 publications

References 25 publications

The interplay of social capital, faith, and offender resettlement

The interplay of social capital, faith, and offender resettlement

Identifying, navigating, resisting, and eliminating structural stigma and the collateral consequences of punishment: The role of the penal voluntary sector in supporting people with criminal records in Canada

The Penal Voluntary Sector’s Role in the Nordic Countries: A Shadow State?

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