RoadRunners: An Exploratory Study of an Activity Programme for Young Offenders in North Dublin
Citation:
Nicole Byrne, 'RoadRunners: An Exploratory Study of an Activity Programme for Young Offenders in North Dublin', Graduate Students’ Union of the University of Dublin, Trinity College, Journal of Postgraduate Research;13, 2014Download Item:
Abstract:
Purpose
The Children Act 2001, in a significant departure from earlier Irish juvenile
justice legislation, introduces a range of community based sanctions for young
offenders including a Probation (training and activity programme) Order.
This study, in the context of these new developments, was concerned with a
particular type of intervention for young offenders: an activity programme.
Methods
This small scale qualitative study explored a specific programme, the
RoadRunners, from the perspective of eight male participants through the
use of semi-structured interviews.
Results
It was found that prior to participation on the RoadRunners,
the participants were disengaged from the education system and their time
was characterised by boredom and offending. Participation provided the
young men with the opportunity to have new experiences and learn new
skills, such as teamwork. Following completion of the RoadRunners, six of
the eight participants had re-engaged in education. Four had self-reported
changes in their offending behavior and all reported changes in how they
spent their leisure time.
Conclusions
In line with the limited literature on this topic, this research found that
activities provided a medium for personal and social development. They
also provided the young people with a constructive way to spend their time;
providing a diversion from offending. This simple notion of the diversion
mechanism has been largely ignored in the literature to date. This research
also draws attention to the need for future research into the crucial role of
staff as mentors in programmes of this nature
Author: Byrne, Nicole
Publisher:
Graduate Students’ Union of the University of Dublin, Trinity CollegeType of material:
Journal ArticleCollections
Series/Report no:
Journal of Postgraduate Research;13Availability:
Full text availableKeywords:
physical activity, young offenders, Children Act 2001ISSN:
2009-4787Metadata
Show full item recordLicences: