Helping Others as a Response to Reconcile a Criminal Past

• Author: Matt Richie,Shadd Maruna,Thomas P. LeBel
• Date: 01 January 2015
• DOI: 10.1177/0093854814550029
• Published date: 01 January 2015
• Subject Matter: Forms of Reconciliation

CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND BEHAVIOR, 2015, Vol. 42, No. 1, January 2015, 108 –120.

DOI: 10.1177/0093854814550029

© 2014 International Association for Correctional and Forensic Psychology

108

HELPING OTHERS AS A RESPONSE TO

RECONCILE A CRIMINAL PAST

The Role of the Wounded Healer in Prisoner Reentry

Programs

THOMAS P. LEBEL

MATT RICHIE

University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee

SHADD MARUNA

Rutgers University

Anecdotal evidence suggests that many of the staff members working for prisoner reentry programs are formerly incarcerated

persons. Moreover, criminologists have written that the strengths-based role of the “wounded healer” or “professional ex-”

is exemplified by released prisoners who desist from a deviant career by replacing it with an occupation as a paraprofessional,

lay therapist, or counselor. Despite these observations, there is a paucity of research about formerly incarcerated persons

employed by agencies that provide reentry-related programming. This study begins to fill this gap by examining whether,

how, and why the staff members of prisoner reentry programs differ from the clients. Characteristics of formerly incarcerated

persons thought to be related to desistance and reconciling a criminal past such as overcoming stigma, prosocial attitudes and

beliefs, active coping strategies, psychological well-being, and satisfaction with life are examined. Findings support the

notion that the wounded healer or professional ex- role is related to desistance and can potentially transform formerly incar-

cerated persons from being part of “the problem” into part of “the solution” to reduce crime and recidivism.

Keywords: reentry; desistance; mutual-help; peer support; redemption; reconciliation

Most of the program staff themselves, often the directors, are ex-convicts . . . This type of

career is very popular among prisoners and ex-prisoners.

—Irwin (2005, p. 178)

AUTHORS’ NOTE: The authors wish to thank the executive directors and staff of the prisoner reintegration

programs in New York State where this study was conducted: Father Peter Young’s Housing, Industry, and

Treatment Network (PYHIT); The Fortune Society; Exodus Transitional Community (ETC); The Women’s

Prison Association (WPA); The Osborne Association; and The Center for Community Alternatives (CCA)—The

Syracuse Recovery Community Service Program (SRCSP). Moreover, the authors are particularly grateful to

the formerly incarcerated men and women who participated in this study. Correspondence concerning this

article should be addressed to Thomas P. LeBel, Department of Criminal Justice, Helen Bader School of Social

Welfare, University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, P.O. Box 786, Milwaukee, WI 53201; e-mail: lebel@uwm.edu.

550029CJBXXX10.1177/0093854814550029Criminal Justice and BehaviorLebel et al. / The Role of the Wounded Healer

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