EXPLORING THE ROLE OF SPIRITUALITY IN EMPOWERING EX-OFFENDERS TO MOVE FROM FRINGE TO MAINSTREAM

Abstract

This study aims to explore the role of spirituality in empowering ex-offenders to move from deviant behaviours to conventional lifestyles (i.e. from fringe to mainstream), utilizing a conceptual framework to conceptualize spirituality. This model takes on a holistic approach in understanding spirituality and adds to our knowledge on how the psychological, sociological and the spiritual interact dynamically to initiate and maintain desistance. Existing literature has underscored the importance of religion in supporting an exoffender’s desistance but much remains to be explored about the role of spirituality. The literature has also highlighted varying conceptualizations between spirituality and religion, often conflating these two overlapping concepts. As such, findings from prior research pertaining to the influence of spirituality and/or religion on the desistance process remains inconclusive. This warrants a need for this study to shed light on this multifaceted concept, while contributing to the development of a theoretical model that remains to explored. An exploratory qualitative study was employed, conducting semi-structured interviews with a total of nine female and male ex-offenders to gain insights on the role of spirituality in the desistance process. The conceptual framework was applied in understanding the initial and maintenance phases of desistance, providing important ways in which ex-offenders utilize internal and external resources to get out of crime. Findings have demonstrated the power of spirituality in empowering both male and female ex-offenders to overcome successfully, attributing success to the psychological, sociological and spiritual dimensions. More importantly, it calls for a holistic approach to social work practice, giving greater consideration to the spiritual world of clients that is often neglected.