Exploring the Good Lives Model Concepts among Ethnically Diverse Forensic Clients: What can we learn

• In Event: Criminology of Mobility. Panel 5. Ethnicity and delinquency

Abstract

Europe’s increasing ethnic diversity in recent decades is mirrored in its forensic psychiatric population, raising questions about culturally responsive rehabilitation approaches. The Good Lives Model, a strengths-based rehabilitation framework for promoting well-being and desistance from crime, offers a universal structure but shows potential flexibility for cultural adaptation. In addition, the Good Lives Model has demonstrated to be positively engaging for forensic clients. This study explores the emic dimensions of the Good Lives Model—primary goods, secondary goods, strengths, and obstacles—by examining how culture shapes their interpretation among ethnically diverse individuals. It also assesses whether the model retains its motivational character within this sample. Semi-structured Good Lives interviews were conducted with 18 forensic clients from migrant and ethnic minority groups. The findings suggest that while the Good Lives Model’s primary goods have universal relevance in this sample, culture influences their prioritization and the strategies used to achieve them. A strong sense of belonging to family groups emerged as particularly significant. Despite facing migration-, ethnicity-, and culture-related challenges such as trauma, cultural taboos, language barriers, undocumented status, and discrimination, participants identified ethnic identity, family connections, and intercultural adaptability as vital strengths for meeting their primary needs. The Good Lives Interview is considered by the participants as facilitative of comfort and rapport to discuss sensitive issues, including offending behavior.

Authors

• marjolein de pau, Ghent University

• Tom Vander Beken, Professor and director of the Institute for International Research on Criminal Policy (IRCP), Ghent University

• Freya Vander Laenen, Ghent University

• Stijn Vandevelde, Ghent University