Abstract
The central theme of this thesis is an exploration of probation practitioner approaches when managing men, who post-conviction for a sexual offence, express gender variant identity. The experiences of transgender people, as offenders and victims interacting with the criminal justice system, are an under-researched area especially within the UK, as the majority of research is dominated within the USA. Transgender rights have become a high-profile area and debate is at times febrile. Sexual offending continues to provoke public outcry and media interest, often leading to changes in legislation and policy to ensure criminal justice agencies are efficient in the assessment, risk management and punishment of those who sexually offend. There are no empirical research studies exploring the rehabilitative community management centred on an emerging sub-group of people who have sexually offended and post-sentence identify as transgender women.This thesis used Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to gain an insight into if and how, an altering gender identity expression impacts on the rehabilitative sentence management between transgender adults who have sexually offended and the probation practitioners (probation officers, psychologists, probation service officers) responsible for their sentence management and welfare needs. It also aims to explore the level of practitioner experience and training and how this influences their approach when assessing risk for sexual recidivism among transgender individuals who sexually offend. Practitioners are mindful of the needs of transgender individuals and are considerate to how their actions are perceived by the transgender individual which may affect the rehabilitative relationship.
The data generated for this study took place during the Covid-19 pandemic when all face-to-face contact between probation staff and those on probation was suspended in accordance with the Government guidance. In response to the pandemic, this study used remote online text-based and face-to-face interviews, with eight probation practitioners and six males to female (M2F) transgender sexual offenders. Despite a lack of academic literature and resources for addressing the needs of this emerging group of people who sexually offend, incompatible operational guidance for probation practitioners working with transgender sexual offenders in the community was identified. Practitioners assessing a transgender person’s likelihood of sexual recidivism should do so sensitively. It is evident more research is needed on risk factors for male to female transgender individuals who sexually offend, to better inform actuarial risk procedures for this group. A holistic therapeutic approach towards gender diversity is recommended to enable transgender adults who sexually offend to bring about behaviour change, compliance, and community reintegration.
This thesis contributes to academic knowledge providing an insight into the approaches modified by probation practitioners when working with men who have sexually offended and post-conviction identify as transgender females.
| Date of Award | 15 Jan 2025 |
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| Original language | English |
| Awarding Institution |
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| Supervisor | Michael Nash (Supervisor), Dennis Gough (Supervisor) & Gizem Guney (Supervisor) |