“Ive never been arrested at a 12 step meeting”: How structural and functional mechanisms of 12 step programmes might support criminal desistance
This seminar, part of our Prison and Probation Seminar Series, aims to highlight how 12 step programmes (12SPs) might support criminal desistance and build experience, strength and hope in a small sample (N=7) of ex prisoners. The author has personal experience of 12SPs and also working within criminal justice (prison service).
Themes identified suggest that 12SPs can be a ‘hook for change’ and allow for ‘changing of playground’. Tools offered through 12SPs can help structure and shape daily routines, develop discipline and manageability of self and the collective responsibility of 12 step groups can develop social, human and recovery capital which might support desistance supporting roles like employment and parenting. 12 step sponsorship (peer support) can allow for development of generativity, altruism and empathy where self becomes an ‘expert by experience’ transmitting experience, strength and hope. Redemptive narratives and moral agency were evident in participant narratives.
The aim of this seminar is therefore to help criminal justice practitioners to understand (from an insider perspective) the transformative potential that 12 step programmes might offer in building hope and supporting criminal desistance. This event, chaired by Dr Victoria Knight, will also include a Q&A session.
You can view previous events in this series on our Prison and Probation Playlist on our YouTube channel.
This event is open to all. Bookings will close 1 hour prior to the start of the event, and registrants will receive a link to join the online event 24hrs before the event, via their provided email address.
Please contact the DMU Events Office on eventsoffice@dmu.ac.uk if you have any questions.