Formerly Incarcerated Persons' Use of Advocacy/Activism as a Coping Orientation in the Reintegration Process (From How Offenders Transform Their Lives, 165-187, 2009, Bonita M. Veysey, Johnna Christian, et al. eds., - See NCJ-229365)

• NCJ Number: 229375
• Author(s): Thomas P. LeBel
• Date Published: 2009
• Length: 23 pages
• Sale Source: Willan Publishing
• Publication Format: Book Chapter
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This chapter examines how formerly incarcerated persons attempt to overcome the 'character blemish' by supporting and/or becoming involved in advocacy-related activities to change the public's perception and treatment of prisoners and former prisoners.

Abstract

Preliminary evidence shows the benefits of formerly incarcerated persons support for and/or involvement in advocacy as a coping orientation. The results indicate a basic incompatibility between an advocacy/activism orientation and criminal attitudes and behavior suggesting that involvement in advocacy-related activities might have potential in facilitating the successful reintegration of some formerly incarcerated persons. There is a lack of literature on formerly incarcerated persons, support for and/or involvement in advocacy-related activities. Largely exploratory in nature, this study examined the advocacy/activism orientation of formerly incarcerated persons. The objective is to address 1) to what degree do formerly incarcerated persons support and/or engage in advocacy to change public perceptions of prisoners and former prisoners; 2) what factors account for any differences in the advocacy/activism orientation; and 3) is the endorsement and reported use of advocacy related to psychological well-being, criminal attitude, and the forecast of rearrest? Tables, appendix, and references