Through Hope and Struggle: The Impact of “Gaisce – The President's Award” on Young Adults in Irish Prisons

Abstract

This article is an exploratory study of young adult incarcerees’ perspectives on the impact of “Gaisce,” a self-development program for youth in Irish custody. Drawing on 10 semistructured interviews with male participants and a review of previous studies of this cohort, the article highlights their perceptions of Gaisce's strengths and weaknesses, paving the way for further reflection on self-development programs in custodial settings. Taking place during COVID-19, the investigation provides unique insight into the experiences of young adults participating in such a program during a pandemic.