Perceptions Of The Previously Convicted: The Influence Of Conviction Type And Therapy Participation

Keywords

offender; reintegration; social distance; therapy; treatment; violence

Abstract

The present study explores individuals' desires for social distance from violent versus non-violent offenders and investigates whether disclosure of the offender's therapy completion influences this desire for distance. The study also investigates relationships between participants' desires for social distance and their perceptions of therapy effectiveness with offenders. Using a 2 × 2 factorial design, 150 undergraduate participants completed measures of social distance and perceived offender therapy effectiveness. Overall, respondents indicated higher desires for social distance from offenders convicted of violent versus non-violent crimes. Respondents also reported lower desire for social distance when the offenders reported completing therapy, even when their perception of therapy effectiveness was low. The results of this study have implications for treatment development. Results attest to the value of preparing incarcerated offenders with an accurate expectation of levels and patterns of stigma to be faced upon release and also speak to the value of disclosing treatment completion, especially in the context of healthy interpersonal relationship development and maintenance.

Publication Date

11-1-2015

Publication Title

International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

Volume

59

Issue

12

Number of Pages

1358-1377

Document Type

Article

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X14536899

Socpus ID

84943622615 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/84943622615

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS