Religious conversion among high security hospital patients: a qualitative analysis of patients’ accounts and experiences on changing faith

Research has shown the importance of religion in recovery from mental illness. Previous studies have investigated why individuals change faith during custody in prison, but there has been no research to date on religious conversion in forensic-psychiatric hospitals. The aim of this study was to understand the experience of religious conversion among patients detained in a UK secure hospital. Thirteen patients who had converted their religion were interviewed and the resultant data were analysed using thematic analysis. Three superordinate themes (‘reasons for changing faith’, ‘benefits of having a new faith’ and ‘difficulties with practising a faith’), incorporating eight subordinate themes, emerged. Understanding patients’ reasons for religious conversion is important for the treatment and support not merely of these individuals, but more broadly with patients in forensic psychiatric care

Understanding service users’ and therapists’ experiences of pharmacological treatment for sexual preoccupation and/or hypersexuality in incarcerated sex offenders

This research comprises two qualitative studies understanding the experiences of 1) convicted sex offenders voluntarily receiving pharmacological treatment to reduce sexual preoccupation and 2) therapists working with these offenders. The studies form part of a research programme evaluating the use of pharmacological treatment with sexual offenders. In study one, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 sexual offenders receiving selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). In study two, interviews were conducted with eight intervention staff with varying levels of experience of working with offenders taking anti-libidinals. Thematic analysis was used and in study one, two main themes emerged: (i) the impact of the pharmacological treatment on prisoners’ daily functioning; (ii) barriers to compliance/engagement. In study two, three main themes emerged: (i) offenders’ reluctance to engage with pharmacological treatment; (ii) challenges for therapists; (iii) pharmacology: ‘just another piece of the puzzle’. Findings are discussed in relation to practice and future research

‘If you’d had my life, you’d have done it too’: exploring the experiences of adult males who rape elderly females

This study focused on adult males who have committed a sexual offence against elderly victims (aged 55 and over) in order to increase our understanding of this group of offenders. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five such individuals. Interview data were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Four main themes emerged: life's been really tough (where participants talked about difficulties they had faced); I'm not bad, I did what anyone would do (where participants sought to explain their behaviour); Other people haven't helped or have made things worse (where participants highlighted challenges they faced in relationships and the impact they felt this had); and Coping and pleasure (which highlights the use of sex and alcohol in their lives). Implications for the practice and treatment of individuals offending against elderly victims are discussed

A qualitative exploration of the experiences of veterans who are serving sentences in custody

The focus on veterans in research is not a novel topic; however, the majority of studies are related to trauma, employment, mental health, suicide, and substance misuse. The Criminal Justice System involvement with veterans is a topic that has yet to be examined to a great extent. This study, conducted with adult male prisoners, elicited information from six veterans regarding their experiences of being in the armed forces, leaving the armed forces and becoming involved in the Criminal Justice System. Responses were evaluated using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) and three main themes were identified: “you’re baptised into the army”, ‘them and us,’ and ‘operational mind set’; each of which comprised a number of superordinate themes. The research highlights that, although it is important to acknowledge the heterogenic nature of this group, it is equally important to note that much of their thinking and behaviour may be similar to those that have not had these experiences. As such, there is a need to reduce the notion that they are separate and different to other prisoners, requiring different treatment. The study highlights that many of the Offending Behaviour Programmes and interventions already available to prisoners would be appropriate for this group. The current research supports the merit in creating a service in prisons that will allow for ex-servicemen to meet together and access the support that is available to them. The implications of the research are discussed further

'The guy might not even be able to remember why he's here and what he's in here for and why he's locked in': residents and prison staff experiences of living and working alongside people with dementia who are serving prison sentences for a sexual offence

Prison staff and residents with sexual convictions, from two UK prisons, were interviewed to explore their understanding and experiences of dementia. The aim was to explore understanding and experiences of dementia in response to Governor-identified needs in the prisons. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with thirteen prisoners and seventeen prison staff across both prisons, all of whom had direct prisoner contact. Transcripts of the interviews were created and thematic analysis was carried out. Four superordinate themes emerged from the data. The first theme, 'Balancing act', explored the way that individuals with dementia should be encouraged to be independent whilst still meeting their need for support in some tasks and areas of functioning. The second theme, 'Challenges and confusion' explored the way that dementia symptoms might be masked in prison settings, how they can be misinterpreted and the impact and understanding of inappropriate behaviour in a prison for those with sexual convictions. 'What works and what doesn't' in a prison setting formed the basis of the third theme, with the final theme, 'Who to tell?' exploring the transfer of information and the sources of support available in the prisons. Practical suggestions for caring for individuals with dementia in prison are made

"The resurrection after the old has gone and the new has come": understanding narratives of forgiveness, redemption and resurrection in Christian individuals serving time in custody for a sexual offence

Research has shown how religion is associated with numerous positive effects including enhanced mood, increased feelings of hope, increased altruistic behaviour, improved ability to cope and also reducing people’s involvement in delinquent and criminal behaviour. However, this has also been contested with some arguing that religion can have criminogenic effects. Whilst there is a growing body of research concerning the effect (criminogenic or positive) of religion on offending, there is currently a paucity of research focusing on sexual offending and religion. The aim of this study was to explore and understand the effects that religious beliefs have on individuals with sexual convictions’ sense of self, identity, their thoughts about the future and on their daily lives in prison. The results focus on a centrally important superordinate theme related to forgiveness and redemption. The analysis unpacks participants’ narratives of forgiveness and the impact such narratives have on participants. A key finding from the data in this study was that religious beliefs and being forgiven by a higher power appeared to facilitate redemptive selves and the enacting of these selves. Implications for practice and limitations are discussed

Preventing and reducing sexual abuse

This chapter focuses on the prevention and reduction of sexual offending and reoffending. It details work conducted by the Sexual Offences, Crime and Misconduct Research Unit (SOCAMRU) at Nottingham Trent University. The chapter outlines three research programmes that have changed policy and practice in managing, treating and rehabilitating people with sexual convictions in the UK and beyond. The first of these focuses on the use of medication to manage problematic sexual arousal (MMPSA) with individuals convicted of a sexual offence. This project explored the role of sexual preoccupation and hypersexual behaviour against the backdrop of both an increased risk of recidivism and reduced levels of wellbeing. The second project considered the notion of ‘denial’. Denial was previously a barrier to treatment, with individuals not being allowed to access treatment if they were ‘in denial’. This research programme changed this, with denial no longer being the organising principle of treatment. The final mixed methods research programme focused on prison-based Circles of Support and Accountability - an initiative first conducted by the Safer Living Foundation charity in the UK. The research indicates that Circles ‘work’ in a plethora of ways, and for a plethora of populations (ex-prisoners, volunteers, the general public). These projects highlight the applied benefits of research that is grounded in collaborative relationships with all stakeholders

‘People don’t like you when you’re different’: exploring the prison experiences of autistic individuals

There is little research regarding the prison experiences of individuals diagnosed with autism. Extant literature suggests that prison presents numerous challenges for autistic prisoners. This research explored the experiences of seven autistic men in a UK prison that houses individuals who are serving sentences for sexual convictions. Participants were interviewed using semi-structured interview schedules. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed with an applied inductive thematic analysis. The latter explicitly focuses on generating commonalities that emerge from the data that have practical (applied) utility. The analysis generated three superordinate themes: ‘Interacting with others’, ‘Being in prison’, and ‘My autism’. Participants described both helpful and challenging aspects of the prison experience, and the findings give rise to important implications and considerations regarding the prison experience of autistic individuals. This paper concludes by outlining practical recommendations for prisons to improve the management and support of autistic residents

‘The guy might not even be able to remember why he's here and what he's in here for and why he's locked in’: residents and prison staff experiences of living and working alongside people with dementia who are serving prison sentences for a sexual offence

Prison staff and residents with sexual convictions, from two UK prisons, were interviewed to explore their understanding and experiences of dementia. The aim was to explore understanding and experiences of dementia in response to Governor-identified needs in the prisons. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 prisoners and 17 prison staff across both prisons, all of whom had direct prisoner contact. Transcripts of the interviews were created and thematic analysis was carried out. Four superordinate themes emerged from the data. The first theme, ‘Balancing act’, explored the way that individuals with dementia should be encouraged to be independent whilst still meeting their need for support in some tasks and areas of functioning. The second theme, ‘Challenges and confusion’, explored the way that dementia symptoms might be masked in prison settings, how they can be misinterpreted and the impact and understanding of inappropriate behaviour in a prison for those with sexual convictions. ‘What works and what doesn't’ in a prison setting formed the basis of the third theme, with the final theme, ‘Who to tell?’ exploring the transfer of information and the sources of support available in the prisons. Practical suggestions for caring for individuals with dementia in prison are made

Socio-economic Decline and Adaptation: South Yorkshire's Former Coalfields

Two decades after the year-long miners’ strike of 1984/5, this paper presents a contemporary account of the social and economic situation faced by ex-miners in South Yorkshire, uncovering those factors that continue to inhibit new employment and adaptation following the contraction of the coal industry. Forty-one in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with men who had worked in the region's coal mining industry for varying periods of time. The interviews were designed to examine many of the problems that have emerged following deindustrialisation and assess appraisals of retraining provision and prospects for employment. Findings increase understanding of issues endemic to many former pit villages including continuing high levels of localised unemployment and disproportionately high numbers of incapacity benefit claimants. A greater understanding of the reluctance of individuals to adapt, retrain and seek new, alternative employment will lead to more successful methods of dealing with the problems associated with continuing economic inactivity in the region's former coalfield communities and has many important consequences for existing regeneration programmes and employment initiatives.