Incarcerated Child Sexual Offenders and the Reinvention of Self through Religious and Spiritual Affiliation

Abstract

Of particular focus in this study was the exploration of the meaning participants made of their religious and spiritual experiences during periods of incarceration. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was adopted, allowing an in-depth examination of participants’ experiences during these particular contexts. Nine in-depth interviews of men incarcerated for sexual crimes were undertaken and analysed. A number of themes emerged; this paper focusses on three of these themes. They include: (1) managing the conflict between religion and spirituality and sexual offending; (2) the use of religious analogies; and (3) experiencing religious or spiritual affiliation in prison and the community aids a sense of community, support, and improved status. The findings presented in this chapter provide some preliminary explanation as to how those convicted of sexual offending who have engaged with religion or spirituality might use this affiliation to help develop new non-offending narratives and identities, improve social status and reduce the effects of stigma.