Learning from people with convictions

There is consensus within desistance theories that the process is an individual process (McNeill, 2010).  Narrative theories highlight desistance in terms of how each individual perceives themselves and who they are (Maruna, 1997).  With this in mind it would surely make sense to investigate the individual’s experiences of how approaches and interventions have supported or frustrated their own process of desistance.

I have been speaking with people who have desisted and they have provided very valuable insight into what has supported them in their process.  The most striking features of these discussions are the importance of the individual worker and their approaches.  It would seem that when a member of staff takes the time to appreciate and understand the narratives, supporting desistance is more effective.

There is much that can be learnt from speaking with people who have experienced being imprisoned and being supervised by probation.  I have found that there is an increased level of insight that can increase how we as workers can better motivate people to change by better understanding the inner self stories.  I have been supporting Steve Duncan (For blog see links, Twitter @BlessheadSteven) in the production of his workshop “Hope is the drug that every offender needs”, which will be premiered at the Avon and Somerset Probation staff conference.  A significant aim of the workshop is to encourage staff to think creatively about supporting desistance, in part by understanding the narratives involved.  In utilising the skills of someone who is living the desistance process, there is added value through the increased insight that can build on the research and theories.

For an example of the insight that can be gained, I look at what I have not experienced.  For instance, I haven’t experienced what it is like to come out of prison, be subject to licence conditions and to be supervised by a Probation Officer.  I don’t know what it is like to live with the associated stigma or difficulties from this.  However, in speaking with people who have, I think that I have a better understanding and more confidence to ask questions about how to support someone in these circumstances.  What we can’t do is take one person’s experiences and apply it to everyone else because this would not be effective either.  However, if we promote a more honest dialogue between supervisor and supervisee, then maybe the increased understanding and communication can increase the effectiveness of the relationship.

In the research that I’ve been undertaking, I think that I have learnt most from utilising knowledge from a variety of sources.  This has included the people that I would call the “experts”, be it Criminal Justice practitioners, staff from a variety of organisations, researchers, policy makers, and of course the people with convictions.  I don’t think that there is a particular type of experience that is more valid than another; in fact the differing approaches can stimulate more creative thinking.  However, I do think that there are great benefits to being open to different experiences in order to inform approaches to supporting desistance.