The Impact Of Deficient Societal Acceptance Following Carceral Experiences Within Closed UK Communities

• In Event: Legitimacy

Abstract

Quinn-Hogan (2021) states “Deficient societal acceptance” after prison as the biggest barrier to successful rehabilitation. When a citizen with carceral experience identifies as a member of a particular community, how simple is the transition back, which could, in many cases may provide greater opportunities for support than traditional family ties. Consideration will be given to two instances based on experiential evidence of the Orthodox Jewish Community, and will also draw on epistemological research done within the deaf community, (Kelly-Corless and McCulloch 2023). How do people maintain their commitment to desistance whilst being rejected from the place they once called home and what is the effect on recidivism?
The answer lies in preparation. The first step of preparation being taking ownership, the next steps being education, education and education. Education must inform the practical courses which are provided and should be delivered by practitioners with Lived Experience. In this way, an offender can prepare their rehabilitative imago with tools and experience which are tried and tested.
Resilience , is a critical part of the rehabilitative imago, as described by Warr (2020), it is almost a pathway to move on, and gives a feeling of acceptance in society – in families, in work environments, in social communities.
But what is the effect, when it transpires that the forgiveness is conditional, that the freedom carries terms and conditions.

Author

• Claire Ruth Silverstone, University of Sunderland/ Renovare CIC