Needs-Satisfaction, Motivation, and Prisoner Well-being: Applying Self-Determination Theory to the Prison Context

• In Event: Risk and Responsivity in Corrections

Abstract

In this paper the well-known Self-Determination Theory (SDT, Ryan & Deci 2000) from psychology is applied to the prison context. This theory identifies three universal psychological needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness), and argues that their fulfillment is crucial to the promotion of both individual well-being and intrinsically-motivated human action. The potential value of using this theoretical framework to investigate prison quality of life and to inform efforts aimed at promoting inmates’ well-being and meaningful motivation for change is outlined and illustrated with examples from a recent study exploring the relationship between feelings of autonomy and well-being amongst Belgian prisoners. Similarities and differences between the SDT approach and current mainstream Risk-Needs-Responsivity and Good Lives Models are outlined and discussed in relation to next steps for developing and empirically testing SDT in criminal justice settings.

Authors

• Sarah van Mastrigt, Aarhus University, Denmark

• Jolene van der Kaap-Deeder, Ghent University, Belgium