Evaluating the impacts of in-prison training programmes on prisoners’ chances of rehabilitation.

Recidivism or relapse in criminal behaviour, which results in the reimprisonment of an ex-offender continues to be a worldwide dilemma (Newton, May, Eames & Ahmad, 2019¹). Impacted by factors such as individual circumstances before imprisonment, social environment and community, social stigma, or difficulties adjusting to life after prison, recidivism affects the offender, their family, the victim(s), the criminal justice system, and the community. With this in mind, hospitality training programmes have been created around the world with the aim to rehabilitate, reduce recidivism, engender social impact, and help the marginalised populations find employment in the hospitality industry (Gebbels, McIntosh, & Harkison, 2021²). As such, hospitality is seen as a source for social good.

Examples of such training programmes include The Clink Charity in the United Kingdom, which runs in prison training restaurants open to the public; The Verne – a prison café in the U.K (Thomas-Graham, 2019³). The employment of former prisoners has contributed to a reduction in reoffending rates in the UK and has also been seen as emancipatory for those individuals, allowing them to carve for themselves new social roles for a better future once released. Participating in such a purposeful activity has also been proven to support their rehabilitation by giving them opportunities to learn life and social skills and engage with the public. The Clink Charity (2022⁴) found prisoners are 49.6% less likely to reoffend after participating in the training programme.

Therefore, this research aims to evaluate the impact of hospitality training inside prisons on prisoners’ chances of rehabilitation.

This study will adopt a qualitative methodology to generate insights on the benefits of in-prison training restaurants on prisoners’ lives during and after the completion of relevant training programmes, as well as provide valuable findings on the impacts of such training programmes on prisoners’ chances of rehabilitation. Proposed methods include but are not limited to life history interviews, participant observations, and other ethnographic techniques.

The proposed research questions are:

1. Why do individuals in prison choose to take part in these training programmes?
2. What professional and transferable skills have prisoners learnt from these programmes?
3. What is the extent to which the completion of such a programme transforms the quality-of-life of those involved post-release?

The outcome of this project makes a significant contribution to knowledge about the efficacy and positive psychological effects of in-prison hospitality training. This project responds to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, specifically to quality education, reduced inequalities, and sustainable cities and communities. By tending to rehabilitation and development needs in prison, this project initiates positive and humane changes in discourses and social prejudices of the often marginalised prisoners or ex-prisoners. Findings from this project generate great relevance to the prison service, policy makers, charities, as well as the service users and their families. This research will also become a conduit between prison studies and hospitality management setting agendas for further research.

Person Specification of Essential or Desirable requirements:

Criteria:

Essential

• 1^st Class or 2^nd class, First Division (Upper Second Class) honours degree or a taught master’s degree with a minimum average of 60% in all areas of assessment (UK or UK equivalent) in a relevant area to the proposed research project
• For those whose first language is not English and/or if from a country where English is not the majority spoken language (as recognised by the UKBA), a language proficiency score of at least IELTS 6.5 (in all elements of the test) or an equivalent UK VISA and Immigration secure English Language Test is required, if your programme falls within the faculty of Engineering and Science a language proficiency score of at least IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in all elements of the test or an equivalent UK VISA and Immigration secure English Language Test is required. Unless the degree above was taught in English and obtained in a majority English speaking country, e.g. UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand, etc, as recognised by the UKBA.
• Previous experience of undertaking research (e.g. taught master’s dissertation)
• Familiar with qualitative data collection techniques
• Understands the fundamental differences between a taught degree and a research degree in terms of approach and personal discipline/motivation
• Able to, under guidance, complete independent work successfully
• This scholarship may require Academic Technology Approval Scheme approval for the successful candidate if from outside of the EU/EEA
• The scholarship must commence before July 2023

Desirable

• Conducted projects related to criminal justice and/or hospitality management

Closing date for applications: midnight UTC on 31/03/2023

For further information contact: Dr Maria Gebbels [Email Address Removed]

Making an application:

Please read this information before making an application. Information on the application process is available at: https://www.gre.ac.uk/research/study/apply/application-process. Applications need to be made online via this link. No other form of application will be considered.

All applications must include the following information. Applications not containing these documents will not be considered.

• Scholarship Reference Number (Ref: GBS-PhD-2223-05)– included in the personal statement section together with your personal statement as to why you are applyin
• A detailed research proposal of 1,500 words
• a CV including 2 referees *
• academic qualification certificates/transcripts and IELTs/English Language certificate if you are an international applicant or if English is not your first language or you are from a country where English is not the majority spoken language as defined by the UK Border Agency *

*upload to the qualification section of the application form. Attachments must be a PDF format.

Before submitting your application, you are encouraged to liaise with the Lead Supervisor on the details above. Submitting a detailed research proposal along with your application will potentially increase the chance of being shortlisted. In the application process, when selecting the programme of study, choose PhD Marketing, Events &Tourism (MPhil/ PhD).

Posts are open until 31st March but may be filled earlier if a suitable candidate is found.