The Practice of Positive Criminology

Abstract

Positive criminology is a new term for a perspective associated with theories and models that relate to socially inclusive, positively experienced influences that assist individuals in desisting or refraining from criminal and deviant behavior. A qualitative phenomenological study of prisoners who were in recovery from substance dependency and who participated in a Vipassana course in a rehabilitative prison introduces features of positive criminology. A total of 22 male prisoners participated in a 10-day Vipassana course run by volunteers in prison. Deep interviews were conducted with participants before, immediately after, and 3 to 4 months after the course. The findings describe components of positive criminology that had meaningful impact on the prisoners in rehabilitation: perceived goodness, positive relationship with the prison staff, positive social atmosphere, and overcoming an ordeal. Implications for practice and further research are outlined.

Prison Meditation Movements and Mass Incarceration

“…They have been implemented by volunteers in prison settings around the world (Bowen et al, 2006; Perelman et al, 2012; Ronel, Frid,& Timor, 2013). The documentary film “Dhamma Brothers” depicts a Vipassana course in a maximum security prison in Alabama (www.dhammabrothers.com).…”

How Perceptions of Altruism and Sincerity Affect Client Trust in Volunteers Versus Paid Workers

“…T. D. Allen and Rush (1998) argue that helping behaviors are attributed to either altruistic motives or instrumental (i.e., self-interested) motives. Indeed, Haski-Leventhal (2009; see also Ronel, 2006;Ronel, Frid, & Timor, 2013) argues that altruism and volunteerism are inevitably at EMORY UNIV on August 7, 2015 nvs.sagepub.com Downloaded from related: Volunteers donate their time, skills, or services to an agency or organization without obligation and without receiving direct financial compensation for their work (Cnaan, Handy, & Wadsworth, 1996). Indeed, Haski-Leventhal (2009; see also Ronel, 2006;Ronel, Frid, & Timor, 2013) argues that altruism and volunteerism are inevitably at EMORY UNIV on August 7, 2015 nvs.sagepub.com Downloaded from related: Volunteers donate their time, skills, or services to an agency or organization without obligation and without receiving direct financial compensation for their work (Cnaan, Handy, & Wadsworth, 1996).…”

“…Altruism (i.e., motivation with the ultimate goal of increasing the welfare of others; Batson, Ahmad, & Tsang, 2002) likely is an important element of the client-volunteer relationship rather than the relationship with paid supporters. In fact, although there is some debate on altruism and its existence (e.g., Batson & Powell, 2003), volunteers are often perceived as altruists, regardless of whether they act purely out of altruism (Haski-Leventhal et al, 2011;Ronel, 2006;Ronel et al, 2013;Ronel et al, 2009). In fact, although there is some debate on altruism and its existence (e.g., Batson & Powell, 2003), volunteers are often perceived as altruists, regardless of whether they act purely out of altruism (Haski-Leventhal et al, 2011;Ronel, 2006;Ronel et al, 2013;Ronel et al, 2009).…”

The Resurgence of Religion in America’s Prisons

“…While most research on religious programming for American prisoners involves Christianity, numerous documentations of non-Christian religious practice as supportive of offender desistance also exist in the literature. Two excellent recent pieces explore the growing prevalence of Eastern religious practice among prisoners [75,76].…”