NCJ Number
229366
Date Published
2009
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This introductory chapter introduces the reader to the primary concepts of social roles, the effects of stigma on the ability of individuals to negotiate positive roles and identities, and the challenges faced by offenders as they adjust to community life after incarceration.
Abstract
It is known that many offenders, particularly the incarcerated population, have serious health, addiction, and mental health conditions. They also have poor education and employment skills, marginal housing, and often come from violent neighborhoods and dysfunctional families. They are distinguishably different from the common notions of an average citizen. Understanding that millions of these offenders will be returning to their communities from shorter stays in jails, reentry has become the current buzzword used to organize and control the panic that States and communities are now voicing. The focus of this introductory chapter is to outline a series of studies within this volume that investigate individual identity transformation beyond offenders' criminal selves and how former or current prisoners change their lives from offender to prosocial, nonoffending roles. The work highlights the perspective of the men and women who are currently or formerly incarcerated. Each piece provides an empirical analysis of the interaction between current or former prisoners and innovative prosocial programs and networks grounded in the most theoretical work about individual transformation and change. The chapters in the book are organized into three broad areas of concentration: 1) the nature of identity transformation, 2) the role of programs, families and social support on the transforming self, and 3) how reformed peers use their ex-identity in service to others. The book concludes with a chapter on the policy implications of these studies and ideas. Note and references