Dissertations@Portsmouth - Details for item no. 14537
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Anstis, Lucy (2024) A systematic review into the use of social media when offering support to ex-offenders and to what extent media can be used effectively when supporting offenders upon release from prison to reduce recidivism. (unpublished BSc dissertation), University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth
Abstract
The rapid evolution of technology and social media across various domains has contributed to considerable advancements, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, influencing work practices, educational methods, and social interactions. However, introducing it into the rehabilitation and reintegration of ex-offenders remains underexplored, with the potential to explore opportunities in post-prison support. As it stands, there is existing research into rehabilitation in terms of what causes individuals to re-offend and how to prevent recidivism, however, the use of social media in supporting ex-offenders poses a gap within the literature. As a result, the research in this paper aims to examine how social media platforms, specifically Twitter, are utilised by charities to support ex-offenders. By systematically analysing 50 Twitter bios of charities providing support to ex-offenders, content analysis was conducted to identify common themes and patterns in the types of support offered. The analysis identified recurring themes such as employment, education, substance use, accommodation and overcoming stigmas. These themes align with factors identified in existing literature that contribute to recidivism, suggesting a congruence between charity efforts and known predictors of reoffending. Additionally, inferential statistics were employed to explore associations among these factors, offering insights into the effectiveness of social media-based support systems. The findings indicate that social media has significant potential in facilitating the reintegration of ex-offenders, providing a platform for connecting with resources and support networks. This research contributes to the limited knowledge regarding the role of technology in rehabilitation.
Course: Criminology and Forensic Studies - BSc (Hons) - C2039F
Date Deposited: 2024-11-20
URI/permalink: https://library.port.ac.uk/dissert/dis14537.html