Champion, Helen J; (2001) Moving on from young offender institutions: Expectations, adjustment and the role of social support. Doctoral thesis (D.Clin.Psy), UCL (University College London).

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Abstract

The current study aimed to investigate young offenders' expectations and actual experiences of release from custody in Young Offender Institutions. Young offenders' selective use of social support in making this transition, including the 'blocks' they perceived to seeking or making use of it, were also explored. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with young male offenders about their views and experiences, both prior and subsequent to release. A total of sixteen participants took part in 'pre-release' interviews, held approximately two weeks prior to their release from a YOI. Eleven of these also went on to conduct follow up 'post-release' interviews, approximately two months after their release. Qualitative analysis of interviews yielded a number of core themes, and the results are broken into three sections. The first documents young offenders' experiences of waiting for release. The second concerns processes inherent to their adjustment to release: namely, processes of 'reflecting and re-evaluating', 'reconnecting' with the outside world, 'changing' and 'locating the experience'. The third section describes young offenders' use of social support and the blocks they perceive to actively seeking or making use of support. These include 'intrapersonal', 'interpersonal' and 'contextual' blocks. The findings of the study are discussed in relation to psychological literature pertaining to offending, mental health and social support. Implications of the study for practice in Young Offender Institutions and Youth Offending Teams, are highlighted.

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