Mending fences: reparation and the reorientation of young people in the secure estate

Abstract

The paper is informed by the findings of mixed method study of the Duke of Edinburgh intervention at selected secure estate establishments in England and Wales, drawing on the findings of an Attitude to Offending instrument (CRIME-PICS11) and accounts of young people and secure estate staff. Young people's CRME-PICS responses are examined through qualitative data from focus groups with young people and interviews with staff delivering the intervention. The findings highlight the importance study participants placed on development of interpersonal relationships between young people, and between them and others within and outwith the secure estate. The authors suggest that, notwithstanding constraints on delivering interventions in the secure estate, reparation activities can be achieved with incarcerated young people, which may assist young offenders' short-term strategies in managing day to day incarceration and longterm strategies of re-integration, acceptance by the community, and improved life opportunities in the future. The authors argue that while reparation activities, which do not involve face to face contact with victims, are often presented as a poor relative of restorative justice 'proper', they are not only more realisable in custody, but offer potential to facilitate development of fundamental social interpersonal skills which underpin young people's rehabilitation.

The Impact of a Sports Initiative for Young Men in Prison

“…Evidence suggests that sport can have a positive impact on prisoners’ well-being and the wider prison community, but quantitative evidence pertaining to its wider impact on reoffending is mixed (Farrington et al, 2002). Nevertheless, an independent evaluation of the Duke of Edinburgh Award (a program encompassing volunteering, physical activity, the development of life skills and expedition) delivered within the young offender secure estate (14-21-year-olds) in England and Wales offers promising findings in terms of the delivery of physical activity-based interventions aimed at rehabilitation (Dubberley, Parry, & Baker, 2011). Focus groups and interviews with young people and staff highlighted the enthusiasm for such an energetic learning approach and identified perceived positive gains in terms of improved relations between prisoners, as well as between prisoners and staff, providing an incentive to improve behavior, coping with prison life, acquisition of life skills, the achievement of a qualification and improved confidence and hope regarding opportunities after release.…”

Experiences in a rehabilitation programme: Case studies of male juvenile offenders in a correctional school in Vietnam

“…There is evidence that recreational activities influenced young people's behaviours and psychology (Dubberley et al, 2011;Meek & Lewis, 2014). Findings of this study showed influences of weekend and leisure activities on young people.…”

“…Activities in programmes such as sports, reparation referring to activities assisting community and group activities have an impact on young people's attitudes and behaviours (Dubberley, Parry, & Baker, 2011;H M Prison Service, 2009;Meek & Lewis, 2014). For instance, a focus group and interview-based study with young offenders aged from 14 years to 21 years in correctional institutions in England and Wales found that group activities such as playing games, cleaning living quarters and doing community service were enjoyed and helped in developing relationships between young people and between young people and staff (Dubberley et al, 2011). The development of relationships helped the young people to deal with the risks of incarceration.…”

“…The development of relationships helped the young people to deal with the risks of incarceration. In addition, Dubberley et al (2011) found that these activities were acknowledged by young people as "potentially assisting their return to, and acceptance by society" (p. 346). Notably, these activities helped young people to keep out of trouble while incarcerated.…”

“…Thirdly, in the literature, another area of rehabilitation programmes that has been identified as having a positive influence on individuals is recreational activities, for example, sports, reparation and group activities (Dubberley et al, 2011;H M Prison Service, 2009;Meek & Lewis, 2014;Murtaza & Uddin, 2011). In particular, there was an association between group and sports activities, and an improvement in psychological characteristics and positive changes in youth behaviours (Dubberley et al, 2011;Meek & Lewis, 2014).…”