Helping Others as a Response to Reconcile a Criminal Past: The Role of the Wounded Healer in Prisoner Reentry Programs

• In Event: Response, Rehabilitation, and Reconciliation: The Normative Dimensions of the Offender’s Desistance Journey

Abstract

Anecdotal evidence suggests that many of the staff members working for prisoner reentry programs are formerly incarcerated persons. Moreover, criminologists have written that the strengths-based role of the “wounded healer” or “professional ex-” is exemplified by released prisoners who desist from a deviant career by replacing it with an occupation as a paraprofessional, lay therapist, or counselor. Despite these observations, there is a paucity of research about formerly incarcerated persons employed by agencies that provide reentry-related programming. This paper begins to fill this gap by examining if, how, and why the staff of prisoner reentry programs differs from the clients. Characteristics of formerly incarcerated persons related to desistance and reconciling a criminal past such as overcoming stigma and discrimination, finding purpose and satisfaction in life, and pro-social attitudes and beliefs will be examined. In particular, this paper will investigate how the helper orientation of becoming a role model and mentor transforms formerly incarcerated persons from part of “the problem” into part of “the solution.” Implications of the findings for prisoner reintegration policy and practice will be discussed.

Authors

• Thomas P. LeBel, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

• Matt Richie, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee