A master thesis from Aalborg University
A study on repeat offenders’ experience in society between prison sentences in Iceland
Author(s)
Term
4. Term
Publication year
2015
Submitted on
2015-08-03
Pages
82 pages
Abstract
Studies have pointed out that incarceration can have various negative effects on the individual that can lead to recidivism. After release, offenders often find it hard to reintegrate into society. In addition, they often come across difficulties when re-establishing their position among family and friends. Other risk factors, such as financial instability and lack of opportunities on the labor market due to stigmatization, could lead to recidivism. During the literature review on the matter, two theories were appropriate to the study subject, social bond theory and labelling theory. These theories and the literature contributed to the interpretation of the results. The aim of the present thesis was to gain a better understanding on repeat offenders’ experience out in society between prison sentences, which in their cases led to reoffending. Their experience was examined by interviewing twelve repeat offenders between 23 and 43 years old that were currently inmates at Sogn and Litla-Hraun prisons in Iceland using hermeneutic phenomenology as the research approach. The results of the study revealed that the inmates did not seem to be permanently marginalized from the labor market. It was furthermore unclear to which extent relationship with family and friends affected recidivism. Moreover, drug and alcohol problems seemed to have significant effect on inmates’ behavior in society. The repeat offenders generally experienced themselves as outsiders in society. This was due to various reasons, such as the repeat offenders’ distorted view on social norms and stigmatization they came across while in the process of reintegration. As a result, it appears that it was easier for the repeat offenders to continue their criminal behavior instead of adapting in society as law-abiding citizens.
Documents
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