Shame and reintegration of aboriginal offenders who participate in native cultural programs while incarcerated
Date
1998
Authors
Nelson, Bruce George
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Abstract
Seminal work by Martinson and others provided evidence which supports the claim that rehabilitation programs have little if any effect on reducing recidivism. Braithwaite would agree in part, however, he also argues that there is merit in rehabilitation that takes a communitarian approach. Communitarian societies, he argues, effectively use shame and shaming ceremonies to punish offenders, and to socially reintegrate them. In this thesis I explore the merits of reintegrative shaming by examining aboriginal program within Kamloops Regional Correctional District. I interviewed inmates within the Districts three correctional facilities to measure the content of shaming in aboriginal programs, and to determine the impact of shame on inmate beliefs and attitudes. I also compared native and non-native post release offending rates as an indication of the effects of aboriginal programs on recidivism. The data suggests that aboriginal programs utilize shame to control offenders and that shame impacts inmate attitudes, beliefs and behaviour toward crime.