Moral conversations and askesis as tools for change within youth justice
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of moral conversations (MCs) within the context of youth justice as a potential resource for the process of change towards desisting from crime among a group of young offenders. It is centred on engagement with the perceptions and values of youth offenders in seeking to engage and work effectively with them, to consider in what ways the art of MCs and using askesis or practice to develop oneself can enable or constrain young people in their endeavours.
Design/methodology/approach
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 40 young offenders to ascertain their beliefs and values in relation to their attitude to offending.
Findings
The research found that an examination of an individual’s worldview through a MC enables practitioners to identify the potential and motivation for change. It can identify both the enablers and barriers to change, and elicit a young person’s real attitudes to offending. Crucially, the research found that through this process individuals can begin to think more about the possibility of transformation and the steps needed to modify their offending behaviour, in order to move away from crime and to begin to implement an alternative future.
Research limitations/implications
The research is based on a small sample of 40 young offenders. However, the findings suggest that further research should be conducted in this area.
Social implications
The research raises questions about how the issue of beliefs and values in relation to young offenders is navigated within the youth justice system.
Originality/value
The research examines an area of research that is often neglected and which has previously received little attention. The findings are of interest for academics and practitioners concerned with recidivism and the factors that contribute to changes in behaviour for young offenders.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The author would like to thank the two Youth Offending Services in the West Midlands who supported the research and made it such an enjoyable experience. To all the young people who gave their time generously to support this project. The research was funded through a Collaborative Doctoral Award as part of the “Youth Call” of the Religion and Society programme. The collaboration was between the Institute of Applied Social Studies at the University of Birmingham and the Youth Justice Board.
Citation
Manders, G. (2015), "Moral conversations and askesis as tools for change within youth justice", Safer Communities, Vol. 14 No. 2, pp. 69-79. https://doi.org/10.1108/SC-05-2015-0015
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited