The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Posttraumatic Growth Over the Life Course for Individuals Formerly Sentenced to Juvenile Life Without Parole

• In Event: Life Course Outcomes for Juveniles and Emerging Adults Sentenced to Life: Understanding the Effects of Prison

Abstract

This study examines the developmental impact of long-term incarceration and the phenomenon of posttraumatic growth (PTG) among individuals formerly sentenced to juvenile life without parole (JLWOP). Drawing from life history interviews with 30 individuals in Pennsylvania, the study explores how prolonged incarceration influences personal transformation, resilience, and psychological growth. While criminological research has traditionally emphasized the detrimental effects of incarceration, this study provides a nuanced perspective by highlighting both the trauma of imprisonment and the potential for growth. Findings reveal that participants experienced PTG through enhanced personal strength, deepened relationships, and a renewed sense of purpose. However, the study also identifies a threshold where the effects of incarceration diminish, suggesting an inverted U-shaped relationship between time served and personal development. Participants described prison as a traumatic environment that stifled self-actualization over time, underscoring the need for sentencing reforms that account for human capacity for change. This research contributes to life-course criminology by challenging the dichotomy of incarceration as purely harmful or rehabilitative. It calls for policies that recognize the developmental implications of long-term imprisonment and support pathways for meaningful reintegration into society.

Authors

• Abigail R. Henson, Arizona State University

• J.Z. Bennett, University of Cincinnati

• Megan Forney, Monmouth University

• Maria Armienta Ojeda, University of Cincinnati

• Grace Martinez, George Mason University