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Offender Experiences and Opinions of Mixed-Gender Group Work in the Community: A Qualitative Study

NCJ Number
237106
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 55 Issue: 7 Dated: October 2011 Pages: 1154-1165
Author(s)
Nina Burrowes; Jo Day
Date Published
October 2011
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This article presents research on the potential impact of mixed-gender group work on female offenders, who are often the minority within the group.
Abstract
The National Probation Service in England and Wales currently delivers community-based accredited offending behavior programs in mixed-gender groups. There is at present a lack of research on the potential impact of mixed-gender group work on female offenders, who are often the minority within the group. This study aimed to improve the understanding of the area using qualitative methods. Sixteen offenders who had participated in a mixed-gender offending behavior program were interviewed as part of this study. Themes from the interviews were analyzed using Grounded Theory techniques. The findings illustrated an overall preference among all participants for mixed-gender rather than single-gender group work. The specific advantages of mixed-gender group work included increased learning about the opposite sex and a more relaxed atmosphere within the group. Although this study reflects positive attitudes to mixed-gender group work, the findings need to be tested further using empirical methodology. (Published Abstract)