This book focuses on the experience of imprisonment from the perspectives of individuals with sexual convictions. It stresses the importance of a positive and rehabilitative prison climate. The volume begins with an exploration of the theoretical underpinnings of a rehabilitative prison climate and discusses some of the practical ways of creating rehabilitative cultures in prisons housing people convicted of sexual offences. Four empirical chapters focus on the experience of stigmatisation, prison officers¿ attitudes towards prisoners¿ offences, negotiating the ¿sex offender¿ identity in prisons and the varied experience of ¿being¿ in prisons exclusively for individuals with sexual convictions. Throughout the authors discuss the specific benefits of peer-support, such as the chance to earn self-forgiveness, construct adaptive identities and consequently move away from harmful labels. The book also spotlights a chapter on the experience of imprisonment written by a former service-user,this unique position offers an insightful account of an individual¿s journey through the prison system.

Spotlights the experience of imprisonment from the perspectives of individuals with sexual convictions

Chapter 1. Rehabilitative culture in prisons for people convicted of sexual offending; Ruth Mann, Georgia Barnett, George Box, Flora Fitzalan Howard, Oscar O'Mara, Rosie Travers & Helen Wakeling.- Chapter 2. Impact of prison climate on indivdiuals with sexual convictions: desistance and rehabilitation; Jayson Ware & Jennifer Galouzis.- Chapter 3. "Scum of the Earth:" Animus and violence against sex offenders in Canadian penitentiaries; Ryan Scrivens & Rosemary Ricciardelli.- Chapter 4. Prison officers, professionalism and moral judgement; Alice Ievins.- Chapter 5. "It doesn't matter what you've done you're accepted here" A multi-site qualitative exploration of the experiences of being incarcerated in prisons for individuals with sexual convictions; Nicholas Blagden, Jake Jones & Kirsten Wilson.- Chapter 6. Peer support and individuals with sexual convictions: Complementing traditional rehabilitation strategies; Christian Perrin.- Chapter 7. Serving Timein Two Prisons - A 'Sex Offender's' View of Life in "Local Cat B" and "Trainer" prisons; S.- Chapter 8. Public Attitudes and Penal Policy in the Desistance Process for Sexual Offenders; Craig A Harper.