Citation

Kewley S, Larkin M, Harkins L, Beech AR. Criminol. Crim. Justice 2017; 17(1): 79-96.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1748895816654530

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This study examines the unique experience of participants who during their reintegration back into the community, following a conviction for sexual offending, re-engaged with religious and spiritual communities. To explore meaning Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was adopted. Four in-depth interviews of men convicted for sexual crimes were undertaken and analysed.

FINDINGS indicate that through religious affiliation participants were: exposed to new prosocial networks; provided opportunities to seek forgiveness; felt a sense of belonging and affiliation; and were psychologically comforted. However, the study also found that the process of identity transition from 'offender' to 'non-offender' was not seamless or straightforward for those with an innate sexual deviancy towards children, caution is therefore advised.

Language: en