The bridge between social identity and community capital on the path to recovery and desistance

Abstract

It has long been recognised that changes in social networks (and the underpinning changes in personal and social identity) are strong predictors of both desistance from crime and recovery from substance use. Building on existing work attempting to measure and shift social networks and transitions to prosocial groups, the current study provides pilot data from prisoners and family members about a visualisation technique widely used in specialist addiction treatment (node-link mapping) to map opportunities for linkage to prosocial groups and networks. The data presented in the paper are from a small-scale feasibility pilot. This suggests both bonding and bridging capital in prisoner populations due for release and the diversity of community capital opportunities that exists in this population. The implications of this work are significant for substance users and offenders pending return to the community, and has implications around resettlement and reintegration support for probation staff in prisons and in the community. The paper emphasises the importance of mapping connectedness as a key component of planning for reintegration back into the community for those working with offenders who are aspiring to achieve desistance and recovery.

An Exploration of the Psycho-Social Benefits of Providing Sponsorship and Supporting Others in Traditional 12 Step, Self-Help Groups

“…This is largely because of the increased significance of the sponsoring relationship and the intimacy and commitment to action which underpinned this type relationship. In this context, helping others, being productive and taking responsibility are meaningful practices but they are also key signifiers [ 32 ] in the self-categorisation process, as the self-help user transition into a new “non-addict” identity [ 12 , 13 ]. Over the longer term, sponsorship enables sponsors to practice a form of conventional living whilst still being part of a self-help group and maybe beneficial for those with limited access to conventional social worlds, groups and relationships.…”

“…Over the longer term, sponsorship enables sponsors to practice a form of conventional living whilst still being part of a self-help group and maybe beneficial for those with limited access to conventional social worlds, groups and relationships. Sponsorship provides the sponsor with social opportunities to enhance and maintain the new and more salient “in recovery” identity they are developing from their involvement [ 12 , 13 ].…”

“…Using the acronym CHIME, these are explained as: connectedness; hope and optimism about the future; identity; meaning in life and empowerment [ 11 ]. More recently, there has been a wider recognition of other social and psychological factors that are important to an individual’s recovery [ 10 , 11 , 12 ], wherein psychological wellbeing and social connectedness are acknowledged as central aspects of the recovery process [ 13 ]. As such, there is now general agreement among scholars and empirical theorists that the process of recovery is a socially mediated and multidimensional process which requires ongoing activity and action by the individual [ 11 , 13 ].…”

Institutional thoughtlessness and the needs of older probation clients

“…This is increasingly seen to be important by Government (see the Scottish Government, 2018, for an example of how this is being implemented in practice). The importance of connection is increasingly being highlighted in literature relating to recovery and desistance (McNeill et al, 2012; see also Best et al, 2018, for a further overview relating to social identity and community capital).…”

“I’d Probably Be Dead Now”: Evaluating the Impact of Theatre Practitioners Working on a Recovery-Based Community Drama Project

“…Given the multiple barriers and complexity people in recovery from addiction experience, it is unsurprising that research indicates effective treatment is found when interventions are bespoke and solutions are tailored to meet the needs of individuals rather than adopting a "onesize fits all" approach (Peacock et al 2018). Indeed, recovery capital is integral to recovery and is nurtured through the delicate interplay of exposure and access to opportunities that help build a person's personal, psychological, social, and cultural strengths (Best et al 2018). Yet, exposure and access to opportunity alone are insufficient; instead, environments that are peerled, supportive, and offer pro-social networks and interactions (Bathish et al 2017) are critical.…”