Offender Experiences and Opinions of Mixed-Gender Group Work in the Community: A Qualitative Study

The National Probation Service in England and Wales currently delivers community-based accredited offending behavior programs in mixed-gender groups. There is at present a lack of research on the potential impact of mixed-gender group work on female offenders, who are often the minority within the g...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of offender therapy and comparative criminology 2011-10, Vol.55 (7), p.1154-1165
Main Authors: Burrowes, Nina, Day, Jo
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Behavior modification
Behavior Therapy - methods
Cognitive Therapy - methods
Community Mental Health Services
Crime - prevention & control
Crime - psychology
Criminology
England
Female
Gender
Gender Identity
Groups
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Patient Satisfaction
Prisoners - psychology
Program Evaluation
Psychotherapy, Group - methods
Qualitative research
Wales
Young Adult
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Summary:The National Probation Service in England and Wales currently delivers community-based accredited offending behavior programs in mixed-gender groups. There is at present a lack of research on the potential impact of mixed-gender group work on female offenders, who are often the minority within the group. This study aimed to improve our understanding of the area using qualitative methods. Sixteen offenders who had participated in a mixed-gender offending behavior program were interviewed as part of this study. Themes from the interviews were analyzed using Grounded Theory techniques. The findings illustrated an overall preference among all participants for mixed-gender rather than single-gender group work. The specific advantages of mixed-gender group work included increased learning about the opposite sex and a more relaxed atmosphere within the group. Although this study reflects positive attitudes to mixed-gender group work, the findings need to be tested further using empirical methodology.
ISSN:0306-624X
1552-6933
DOI:10.1177/0306624X10381063