| dc.description.abstract | Prisons are failing to equip prisoners with the necessary skills, information and resources in
to prevent recidivism. Prisons in the United Kingdom have poor records for reducing
recidivism with 48% of adults reoffending within one year of their release. Prisons can be a
challenging environment as there are constantly changing policies and legislations which
affect what interventions can be carried out. Working in this environment also requires
professionals to be creative as resources and staffing are limited. Occupational Therapists
have the unique expertise to work effectively in this restrictive environment and to enable
prisoners to learn the necessary skills to help prevent them from returning to crime.
Through a literature review, the researcher examines Occupational Therapy interventions in
prisons in various countries. Existing literature claims that interventions reduces recidivism,
however, they fail to support these claims as there is little or no follow-up research
conducted when people are released from prison. The literature reviewed identified a gap in
the literature relating to ex-offenders lived experiences of being offered choices through
Occupational Therapy interventions within prison. This generates aims and objectives for
research which the research proposal attempts to address. These experiences are proposed
to be most effectively understood by using IPA and conducting semi-structured interviews.
This research would attempt to understand lived experiences while addressing the objectives
of gaining knowledge about change in decision making skills and motivations to potentially
prevent recidivism. Occupational Therapy science has an opportunity to contribute to this
gap in the literature about understanding ex-offenders experiences by using a holistic and
person-centred approach which aligns with Occupational Therapy’s values. | en |
