Rosie Meek

Narcissism and Empathy in Young Offenders and Non-offenders

Understanding the individual factors that predispose persons to criminal behaviour is vital to reducing offending and rehabilitating those who have been sentenced to prison. This study examined the roles of narcissism (at both clinical and subclinical trait levels) and empathy, by comparing levels in young adult males currently serving a prison sentence to those with no history of criminal convictions. Prison participants had significantly higher levels of narcissism—in particular entitlement—than control participants, and this link was sequentially mediated by lower perspective–taking and subsequently lack of empathic concern. Trait narcissism showed stronger effects than narcissistic personality disorder symptoms. Narcissistic young mens feelings of entitlement and ensuing lack of empathy for others may account for their greater likelihood of criminal behaviour. Copyright

Behind bars but above the bar: prisoners consider themselves more prosocial than non-prisoners

That people evaluate themselves more favourably than their average peer on desirable characteristics - the better-than-average effect (BTAE) - is one of the most frequently cited instances of motivated self-enhancement. It has been argued, however, that the BTAE can be rational when the distribution of characteristics is skewed such that most people lie above the mean. We addressed whether the BTAE is present even among people liable to be objectively below average on such characteristics. Prisoners compared their standing on pro-social characteristics - such as kindness, morality, law abidingness - with non-prisoners. Prisoners exhibited the BTAE on every characteristic except law abidingness, for which they viewed themselves as average. Given that prisoners are unlikely to be objectively above average on pro-social characteristics, the findings push for a motivational interpretation of the BTAE.

Exploring the relationship between the voluntary sector and the state in criminal justice

Voluntary sector organisations (VSOs) have a long history of engagement with offenders. Recent policy developments have aimed to increase their participation in the criminal justice system, leading to considerable speculation about the impact on the sectors independence and ethos. This paper draws on qualitative interviews with stakeholders in the voluntary sector and criminal justice fields to explore the effects of such developments on the relationship between the sector and the state, including the implications of opening the criminal justice market to VSOs, gaps between the rhetoric and reality of commissioning, and the potential loss of the sectors distinctiveness and critical voice.

The parenting possible selves of young fathers in prison

Abstract Drawing on the social psychological concept of possible selves (Markus & Nurius, 1986, American Psychologist, 41, 954–969), this paper explores the parenting aspirations and concerns of young fathers in prison. Hoped, feared and present parenting possible selves were generated by 39 young adult prisoners, all aged between 18 and 21 years and parent to at least one child. The frequencies and sub-themes of the different categories of parenting possible selves are presented and discussed. Of particular relevance are issues surrounding separation from the child and re-establishing relationships after release from prison, but substance use, violence and the intergenerational transmission of parenting are also prominent themes. The utility of a possible selves questionnaire as a data collection tool in prisons is discussed and findings are explored in the context of delivering parenting education in prisons, developing interventions targeting young fathers after release, and future research directions.

Sport in a youth prison: male young offenders' experiences of a sporting intervention

The numbers of children under the age of 18 being incarcerated in England and Wales has decreased of late, with official figures indicating that the current population of just over 1500 has halved during the last decade. But levels of reoffending among children released from prison remain the highest, with three out of four young people being reconvicted within one year of release from juvenile custody. Despite the fact that the overwhelming majority of community-based sports projects target children and young people, when it comes to incarcerated populations, sporting initiatives are less prevalent. Where sport has become well established as a useful social cohesion/inclusion strategy in community settings, some of these approaches have been translated into custodial settings. Resulting research has often proclaimed sporting pursuits as a modern-day panacea in terms of their social, psychological and emotional benefits, yet few studies have explored the nuances of sports-based interventions within secure settings. This paper comprises a small-scale, qualitative study of one such intervention in a Young Offender Institution in the South of England. Placing respondent accounts at the centre of the analysis, the paper sheds light on the practicalities of programme delivery by uncovering the motivating factors behind participant engagement whilst exploring broader notions of personal development. The paper concludes by highlighting that sport/physical activity can confer significant psychosocial benefits and promote the rehabilitation of young people leaving custody, particularly when integrated into wider programmes of support and provision.

The Impact of a Sports Initiative for Young Men in Prison: Staff and Participant Perspectives

This study presents the prisoner and prison staff ideographic experiences of an English initiative which aimed to use sport as a way of engaging young men in identifying and meeting their reentry (or “resettlement”) needs in the transition from prison custody to the community. Young men aged between 18 to 21 years old (N = 79) participated in the prison-based sporting “academies” and the qualitative findings demonstrated how the initiative led to perceived benefits in terms of a positive impact on prison life and culture, preparation for release, improved attitudes, thinking and behavior, and in promoting desistance from crime. The results help to delineate how and why sports based interventions can motivate imprisoned young offenders in reentry programs, with the ultimate aim of reducing reoffending.

Promoting Well-Being and Desistance Through Sport and Physical Activity: The Opportunities and Barriers Experienced by Women in English Prisons

Despite an increased focus on the benefits of participation in sport and physical activity for men in custody, little attention has been paid to its potential role in meeting the specific needs of female prisoners. Qualitative data from female offenders (n = 45) within the English prison estate illustrated that, despite low levels of participation, prison-based sport and physical activities have clear physical and psychological benefits and can be valuable in promoting desistance from crime. Institutional barriers to participation, such as in the provision of activities and the prison regime, coupled with gendered barriers, such as self-presentational and motivational concerns, are identified and explored. Findings are discussed in the context of existing policy and principles of best practice.

The Possible Selves of Young Fathers in Prison.

Drawing on the social psychological concept of possible selves, this study explores the future self concept of young fathers in prison. In considering life after release from prison, qualitative data relating to hoped-for, feared and expected possible selves was generated by 34 young fathers aged between 18 and 21 years. The most common categories of hoped-for and expected selves related to employment and parenting, whereas feared selves related predominantly to offending or a return to prison. The prevalence of possible selves relating to parenting suggests that parenthood is a key component of the representations of present and future identity of young fathers in prison. Findings are discussed in relation to the positive aspect of parenthood for young men in prison, parenting identities in the transition from custody to community, future research directions and the development of interventions targeting young fathers in prison.

The experiences of a young gypsy-traveller in the transition from custody to community: an interpretative phenomenological analysis

Purpose. This paper presents a case study of a young male Gypsy-Traveller from the south west of England. The study explores the participants experiences of serving a sentence in a Young Offender Institute, and of the transition from custody back into the community. Methods. The study is idiographic and grounded in the detailed case study of a 20 year old Gypsy-Traveller. An initial semi-structured interview was conducted whilst the participant was serving a two-year custodial sentence and subsequent contact was made after release from prison. Transcripts were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Results. The case study reveals that issues of culture and identity are of particular relevance when seeking to understand the experience of a young Gypsy-Traveller serving a custodial sentence. This is partially demonstrated with the tension between perceived autonomy and the role of social factors. These themes are also of importance in exploring desistance from crime after release from prison. Issues surrounding negative attitudes from within the community, the police and the prison are also explored, with findings discussed in the context of prison, policing and probation practice with young Gypsy-Travellers. Conclusions. The study suggests that practical and social psychological issues need to be taken into account when considering the particular needs of young Gypsy-Travellers in custody and after release from prison. Given that young Gypsy-Traveller men are over represented in the Criminal Justice System, attention to these issues is especially relevant for those who work in the prison and probation services, with important implications for rehabilitation.

Partners, guests or competitors Relationships between criminal justice and third sector staff in prisons

Recent policy documents have promoted partnership working between criminal justice agencies and third sector organizations (TSOs) as a means to tackle re-offending. However, the context in which such partnership working takes place has received little attention despite the fact that relationships between frontline criminal justice staff and TSOs are likely to be crucial to successful initiatives. This article draws on qualitative interviews with prison staff and representatives from TSOs in eight prisons to examine relations between the two groups and to consider whether TSOs are treated as partners, guests or competitors in prisons.