Lessons from Public Criminology for the Reintegration of Men with Sexual Convictions Post-Imprisonment

Societal and criminal justice responses to sexual crime have largely been shaped by public discourses which are argued to be vindictive and punitive towards persons associated with sexual crime. Stigmatisation and social isolation are routinely experienced by men with sexual convictions, which is problematic not least due to social isolation being the greatest predictor of risk of reoffending. This is often compounded by the dominant community/public protection model of responding to people with a conviction for a sexual and/or violent crime as it prioritises risk management, over responding to holistic needs. To challenge the dominant and damaging responses to individuals with sexual convictions, the author argues that public criminology offers a valuable theoretical contribution which could lead to holistic-focused policies and practices. Public criminology, as a sub-discipline of criminology, is chiefly concerned with issues of citizenship, social justice, and human rights, advocating for making a difference and bring about change. This chapter offers an important contribution to knowledge by interrogating current policies and practices associated with reintegrating men with sexual convictions, in relation to the principles and commitments of public criminology. The chapter then offers ‘lessons’ (recommendations) for how to support the holistic needs of men with sexual convictions post-prison.