Salt Katie, Kougiali Zetta G
University of East London, UK.
University of Roehampton, London, UK.
Int J Offender Ther Comp Criminol. 2024 Sep;68(12):1272-1295. doi: 10.1177/0306624X221124838. Epub 2022 Oct 8.
Despite the growing body of literature on Prison Officers and therapeutic practitioners within correctional facilities, comparatively little research exists into prison volunteers. Using semi-structured interviews with caseworkers ( = 5), analyzed via Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, this study explores the experience of being a Prison In-Reach Caseworker, supporting the male ex-Armed Forces population in Greater London prisons. Through identifying three superordinate themes of the inherent moral values of the shared past, compassion and "in" versus "out" of the prison system, the study concludes that the caseworkers, working outside the boundaries of the correctional system, reject the label of "criminal" and its associated consequences, choosing instead to attribute value and dignity to the prisoners, both as ex-Armed Forces personnel, and as human beings. The findings offer an insight into the consequences of positive labeling for perspectives of redemption and desistance and suggest the need for further investigation into the experiences and impact of prison volunteers working with different populations.
尽管关于惩教设施中的狱警和治疗从业者的文献越来越多，但对监狱志愿者的研究相对较少。本研究通过对5名个案工作者进行半结构化访谈，并采用解释现象学分析方法进行分析，探讨了作为监狱内联络个案工作者的经历，该工作主要是为大伦敦地区监狱中的前武装部队男性群体提供支持。通过识别出“共同过往的内在道德价值观”、“同情心”以及“监狱系统内”与“监狱系统外”这三个上位主题，研究得出结论：这些在惩教系统边界之外工作的个案工作者拒绝“罪犯”这一标签及其相关后果，而是选择赋予囚犯价值和尊严，无论他们是前武装部队人员还是普通人。研究结果为积极标签对救赎和停止犯罪观念的影响提供了见解，并表明需要进一步调查与不同人群合作的监狱志愿者的经历和影响。
