A short longitudinal study of lifers' pre-release expectations and post-release realities during resettlement

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I propose a longitudinal study employing semi-structured interviews of male and female lifers (one month prior to release and again, two months post-release) within English prisons. To triangulate the data, I also plan to conduct similarinterviews post-release with Probation Officers working to aid resettlement. These interviews will contain both qualitative and quantitative means of data collection, to utilise within-method triangulation as well. This work looks to extend ourcurrent understanding of resettlement for a particularly overlooked population, whilst also providing a comparison between genders and introducing the perspectives of front-line staff. The proposed study recognises that currentliterature on resettlement has too often been framed from a single perspective inside or outside of prison, without a longitudinal approach. Moreover, those studies which have attempted to integrate the two have been predominantly ledby researchers in the United States or have been exceedingly narrow in their qualitative exploration of explanations in understanding the construction and enactment of these realities. Furthermore, the study aims to advance knowledge ofresettlement in general, but more specifically for a population who have been considerably overlooked in the criminal justice system. It aims to identify where resettlement policies and practices should be targeted to address themultifaceted issues for prisoners upon release, based on their self-identified needs.