Vägen tillbaka : En kvalitativ studie om kriminella missbrukares återanpassning till samhället

The aim with this essay is to explore how previously criminal addicts experienced their rehabilitation to the society, and which difficulties and obstacles they have seen. The study is based on six semi-structured interviews with previously criminal addicts who have succeeded to rehabilitate themselves back to society. In accordance with earlier research four cornerstones that has a central meaning in a person’s rehabilitation to the society, can be identified. These are habitation, occupation, society and motivation. However, the informants think that their economic situation is the biggest obstacle and the biggest failure in their rehabilitation. Many of the informants felt that it was hard to adjust to their new identities in the socialization with others. According to Jenkins (2008) a membership of a collective identity implicates that the members of the identity have something in common. This inclusion entails an exclusion from other collective identities. According to Jenkins, the establishment of ”us” also establish ”them”, and creates a line between different groups. (Jenkins, 2008:102). The inclusion to the collective identity as a criminal addict exclude the informants from other collective groups in society. According to Goffman people establish certain qualities in a person, and to receive a stamp implicates a stigma. A stigmatized person diffnformants have divided opinions regarding the stigmatization and stamping that their previously lifestyle has induced to. Some of them don’t consider themselves carrying a stamp any longer while some of them think that they never will be able to disclaim it. The stigmatization is clearly seen in the informants alienation while socialize with others. In accordance with earlier research four cornerstones that has a central meaning in a person’s rehabilitation to the society, can be identified. These are habitation, occupation, society and motivation. However, the informants think that their economic situation is the biggest obstacle and the biggest failure in their rehabilitation.Validerat; 20110126 (anonymous