Returning Citizens: A quiet revolution in prisoner reintegration

Citation

Graham H, Graham S & Field J (2015) Returning Citizens: A quiet revolution in prisoner reintegration. Scottish Justice Matters, 3 (1), pp. 32-33. http://scottishjusticematters.com/wp-content/uploads/Pages-from-SJM_3_1_Mar2015-ReturningCitizens.pdf

Abstract
(First paragraph) THIS ARTICLE offers a brief overview of a desistance-oriented approach to supporting community reintegration in the state of Tasmania, Australia. While community service is typically discussed in terms of ‘payback' as a form of punishment, it can be harnessed in creative ways to support prisoner reintegration and desistance processes. Compelling contributions from desistance scholars (see, for example, McNeill and Weaver, 2010; Schinkel, 2014) advance the recognition that people with offending histories benefit from multi-faceted supports over time to change their lives, living conditions and life chances. Through this lens, the remit of supporting reintegration extends from a traditional blinkered focus on securing essential items to aid survival post-release, to include pursuit of identity change, relationships and resources which enable sustained desistance and human flourishing.

Keywords
criminal justice; prison; reintegration; desistance; community service

Journal
Scottish Justice Matters: Volume 3, Issue 1

People

Dr Hannah Graham

Senior Lecturer, Sociology, Social Policy & Criminology