Faith, Identity and Homicide

This book explores the role that religion plays in the lives of imprisoned homicide offenders. Drawing on interviews in an English prison, the author examines how they narrate their life stories and how religion intersects with other categories to rebuild their personal identities after committing a crime and being labelled as murderers or killers. This book seeks to bridge the gap between macro and micro phenomena, examining religion as both a social institution and a personal experience. It also explores the mediating role of institutions with regards to the nature and extent of their influence upon individual choices and actions, and provides insights into the nature of the therapeutic prison. It seeks to create some clarity of understanding the complex nature of religiosity, narrative, identity, desistance and rehabilitation whilst critically examining elements of social identity that may restrict or enhance this process. It provides a series of recommendations for organisations working with convicted homicide offenders/offenders and speaks to academics and practitioners in the fields of criminology, sociology, psychology and religious/theological studies.

Presents a criminological perspective on religion in penitentiary institutions Uses unique empirical data to discuss homicide offenders' religious lives, identities & narratives Examines therapeutic prisons including religious texts, religious groups and the availability of prison chaplains

Auteur

Shona Robinson-Edwards is an academic researcher and lecturer in criminology at the University of Warwick, UK. Religion, desistance and rehabilitation are Shona's areas of expertise.

Texte du rabat

This book explores the role that religion plays in the lives of imprisoned homicide offenders. Drawing on interviews in an English prison, the author examines how they narrate their life stories and how religion intersects with other categories to rebuild their personal identities after committing a crime and being labelled as murderers or killers. This book seeks to bridge the gap between macro and micro phenomena, examining religion as both a social institution and a personal experience. It also explores the mediating role of institutions with regards to the nature and extent of their influence upon individual choices and actions, and provides insights into the nature of the therapeutic prison. It seeks to create some clarity of understanding the complex nature of religiosity, narrative, identity, desistance and rehabilitation whilst critically examining elements of social identity that may restrict or enhance this process. It provides a series of recommendations for organisations working with convicted homicide offenders/offenders and speaks to academics and practitioners in the fields of criminology, sociology, psychology and religious/theological studies.

Contenu

Chapter 1. Introduction.- Chapter 2. Approaching Faith behind the Prison Walls.- Chapter 3. Homicide and Violent Offences.- Chapter 4. Prison-based Democratic Therapeutic Community.- Chapter 5. Violence in the Life Course.- Chapter 6. Religion in the Life Course.- Chapter 7. Faith, Re-entry and Desistance.- Chapter 8. Moosaa's Journey.- Chapter 9. Critical Understandings of Faith and Identity.- Chapter 10. Concluding Thoughts.

<b