'Not Just in it for the Money': Community Chaplaincy and Desistance in England and Wales

• In Event: The Penal Voluntary Sector: Thematic Panel B

Abstract

The Community Chaplaincy Association (CCA) is a voluntary sector organisation working with people leaving prison in England and Wales. The CCA is an umbrella organisation for a diverse group of small charities that, sharing a faith-based ethos, provide practical help, emotional support and mentoring. This paper presents the findings of a study investigating the extent to which the work of community chaplaincy is congruent with principles for desistance focussed practice. The research gathered data from interviews with 19 service users (a number of whom were interviewed on three occasions over a nine month period from September 2016), staff employed by CCA member organisations, and individuals volunteering to support and mentor former prisoners. These data were then analysed, exploring themes such as individualising support for change, building hope and working through relationships. The paper concludes with observations about the significance, from the perspective of all stakeholders, of the CCA as a voluntary sector organisation. The extent to which the voluntary sector is able to make a contribution to service delivery which is distinctive from, or adds value to, that of existing statutory
services is critically examined.

Author

• Jane Dominey, University of Cambridge