The Difficulties of Researching Ex-Servicemen’s Criminality

• In Event: Crime and Justice Issues in the Military: Perspectives from the U.S. and U.K.

Abstract

Within the UK there appears to be a resurgence of concern focused around the criminality of ex-servicemen. This is demonstrated in both political and criminological discourses, often illustrated through the popular media. Much of this concern is focused on the current withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan and the likely impact on both ex-servicemen and civilians. It therefore seems most appropriate to attempt to understand the possible criminogenic dimensions of soldiering.
The original aim of this project was to ascertain the experiences of ex-servicemen currently incarcerated in civilian prisons. This was to be achieved through interviews exploring their experiences before, during and after their membership of the British army through the lens of their bilateral institutional identities.
However, it became increasingly evident that there were fundamental problems with such an approach. These relate to the apparent lack of a critical mass of literature, the taken for granted nature of ex-servicemen’s criminality and the problematic nature of researching institutional identities within an institution.
Given that much of the literature surrounding the area, historically originates from the USA, it is anticipated that lessons can be learnt from a transatlantic discourse.

Author

• Paula Bowles, University of Northampton