Barriers and Facilitators to Sex Offender Reintegration
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An Exploration of the Barriers and Facilitators to the Release, Desistance, and Reintegration of Sexual Offenders and the Impacts on Recidivism.
IRAS ID
326262
Contact name
Emma Tuschick
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Teesside University
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 4 days
Research summary
Background to the research: Individuals who have been prosecuted for sexual crimes are one of the most stigmatised groups of offenders and find their reintegration into the community extremely difficult and overall, a negative experience (Lussier & Gress, 2014). Consequences of this can lead to thoughts of suicide, self-harm, mental health problems, and reoffending (Cooley et al., 2017; Burchfield & Mingus, 2008).
Aim(s) of the research: To understand the barriers and facilitators for men with convictions of a sexual offence reintegrating into the community.
Design and methods: A qualitative study comprising semi-structured interviews with 30 men about their reintegration perspectives or experiences and 10 staff members. Eligible men with a sexual offence conviction will be recruited through Prison and Probation services, NHS services, and charities such as Circles South East. Participants will be asked to have a discussion about their views and experiences of reintegrating back into society, lasting up to ninety minutes, with a member of the research team.
Dissemination: The results of the research will be used to recommend adjustments to services to better support men reintegrating back into the community in order to better protect the public and allow men with sexual convictions a chance to become productive members of society.
References
Burchfield, K. B., & Mingus, W. (2008). Not in my neighborhood: Assessing registered sex offenders' experiences with local social capital and social control. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 35(3), 356-374.
Cooley, B. N., Moore, S. E., & Sample, L. L. (2017). The role of formal social control mechanisms in deterring sex offending as part of the desistance process. Criminal Justice Studies, 30(2), 136-157.
Lussier, P., & Gress, C. L. (2014). Community re-entry and the path toward desistance: A quasi-experimental longitudinal study of dynamic factors and community risk management of adult sex offenders. Journal of Criminal Justice, 42(2), 111-122.
REC name
North East - York Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/NE/0011
Date of REC Opinion
23 Jan 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion