Suchergebnisse

Research suggests that mentoring may facilitate offender rehabilitation. Less is known about the impact on mentors, especially those who are ex-offenders. This study uses in-depth interviews with eight ex-offender mentors to explore the processes through which such schemes can be effective. Four key categories emerged: self-satisfaction; mutual benefit; mechanisms underlying success; and negative aspects of mentoring. Mentoring was experienced as a rewarding and mutually beneficial career which may reduce the social stigma of being an ex-offender. Challenges for mentors included dealing with failure or frustration and managing risk. Findings suggest that participation in mentoring schemes should be voluntary rather than compulsory and future schemes should consider employing ex-offenders as mentors and role models, to benefit from their lived experience, despite the barriers and challenges involved.

Suicides by offenders in the community have been relatively under-researched in comparison with prison suicides. This study examined in-depth the events and experiences of 28 service users under probation supervision, based on continuous records from the start of their sentence to their death by suicide. The study presents novel findings through mapping suicidal behaviour onto the probation supervision process, and demonstrates the complex pathways leading to suicide in this population. Key issues identified include missed appointments, the impact of legal proceedings, changes in supervision, and the importance of recording risk.

The current study sought to explore the impact of suicidal behaviours on probation staff, in relation to their experiences of working with probation service users who have carried out suicide, attempted suicide or self-harm. Thirteen in-depth interviews were carried out with probation staff who had direct contact with probation service users in one probation area, and had varying degrees of experience of managing suicidal or self-injurious service users. These were analysed using thematic analysis and five themes were identified. Findings indicate that staff felt that suicide and self-harm by service users are serious issues which need to be recognized and dealt with in an effective yet compassionate manner. Not attending the suicide prevention training, or lack of experience, were perceived as restricting their ability to know how to deal with these individuals, and offer support. Furthermore, staff were emotionally affected by these incidents and it is recommended that they should continue to be provided with access to appropriate support services after an incident.

Abstract: This article describes qualitative research with women survivors of potentially lethal self‐harm in prison. In‐depth interviews were carried out during 2002/03 with 15 women, (adults and young offenders), from six establishments. The interviews focused on the women's own accounts of the 'near miss' incident, including intentions and motivations, factors leading up to the incident, experiences of care and support, current self‐harm and suicidality, and suggestions for prevention. Recommendations include: improvements to the general prison regime; training and support for staff; specialist help for women with histories of abuse, mental illness, or borderline personality disorder; improved support following stressful life events.