“I don't have relationships anymore…” Navigating licence conditions and transition into the community for men with sexual convictions

Most men with a sexual conviction will be released back into the community on Licence. The Licence Conditions and Policy Framework (Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS, 2021) states that the aims of a licence period are to be preventative, not punitive, ensure public protection, prevent re-offending and secure the successful reintegration of the offender into the community. However, there has been very little empirical investigation into the experience of licence conditions and their role in reintegration. The aim of the study in this chapter was to gain an insight into the experiences of people with a sexual conviction as they return to the community, and to specifically explore their experiences of licence conditions. The thematic analysis revealed 3 subordinate themes; “I don’t have relationships anymore…”, “Perceptions of (un)fairness”, and “No Association”. The results highlight how licence conditions were often perceived as unfair and that they had a negative impact on relationships. A potential unintended consequence of licence conditions was that it reinforced stigmatising labels. We conclude by arguing that the process of setting licence conditions needs to be more collaborative and compassionate.