A multi-perspective qualitative study about working with autistic individuals in prison-based interventions to address sexual offending

Vinter, L, Dillon, G ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3934-3815, Winder, B ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9118-679X and Harper, C ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3172-0129, 2023. A multi-perspective qualitative study about working with autistic individuals in prison-based interventions to address sexual offending. Sexual Abuse. ISSN 1079-0632 (Forthcoming)

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Abstract

Research suggests that sexual offending is one of the more common forms of offending behaviour committed by autistic individuals. Despite this, very little research has investigated approaches to rehabilitation for autistic individuals who have sexually offended. The small body of literature that does exist suggests that interventions to address sexual offending may not be sufficiently adapted for this group. In this paper we present an exploratory qualitative study that (i) explores how prison-based interventions to address sexual offending are experienced by autistic individuals with sexual offense convictions and the staff who work with them, and (ii) identifies and explores the features of prison-based sexual offending interventions that may be challenging or beneficial for autistic individuals, from the perspective of those involved in treatment. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 autistic men serving prison sentences for sexual convictions, and 13 members of prison staff. A multi-perspective phenomenologically-informed thematic analysis identified three themes of ‘Feeling overwhelmed’, ‘Out of the comfort zone’, and ‘(Dis)connected to others’. These themes highlight some of the key issues relating to the format and delivery of interventions, as well as the impact of the broader prison context on rehabilitation.

Item Type:	Journal article
Publication Title:	Sexual Abuse
Creators:	Vinter, L., Dillon, G., Winder, B. and Harper, C.
Publisher:	Springer Verlag
Date:	1 November 2023
ISSN:	1079-0632
Identifiers:	Number Type 1830004 Other
Rights:	Accepted for publication in Sexual Abuse. Reuse is restricted to non-commercial and no derivative uses.
Divisions:	Schools > School of Social Sciences
Record created by:	Laura Ward
Date Added:	06 Nov 2023 14:36
Last Modified:	13 Nov 2023 09:32
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/50281

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