Shona Robinson-Edwards - Faith, Identity and Homicide: Exploring Narratives from a Therapeutic Prison

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This book began as doctoral research at the Centre for Applied Criminology, Birmingham City University. I extend sincere thanks to my supervisors, Dr. Stephanie Kewley for her constant care, support and encouragement in matters relating to the research and beyond. Professor Elizabeth Yardley for supporting my vision. I would also like to thank Professor David Wilson and Professor Imran Awan.

Hard work and dedication saw the successful completion of this book. I would especially like to thank Professor Shadd Maruna and Dr. Sarah Pemberton who examined my doctoral thesis; their expertise and insights are appreciated. I remain sincerely grateful to Dr. Martin Glynn who has consistently supported me through my undergraduate and postgraduate years. In addition, a special thanks to my colleagues at the University of Warwick; thank you for appreciating my academic contributions and allowing me to flourish.

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my inspiring and loving parents and family and friends who have helped me on this journey: Nicole, Zahra, Lateasha, Suriya, Zaidat, Ashjan, Ameerah, Victoria, Craig, Kris-Isa, Esa, Sion, Samantha, Ashley, Rebecca, Serena, Morag and Dionne.

Finally, I would like to sincerely thank the prison-based therapeutic community and its residents for allowing this research. I am grateful to all the residents, participants, research facilitators and members of staff who welcomed and facilitated the research. Adam, Kai, Lewis, Moosaa and Reece, your voice is important. Thank you for allowing us to understand your lived experiences, I am truly grateful.

FaithThe complete trust or confidence in someone or something.

Faith-based interventionAn intervention based on faith/religious practices.

HajjThe Pilgrimage where one visits Makkah and specified sites (Alam, 2016).

Five Pillars of IslmThe declaration that there is none worthy of worship except Allh and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allh; to establish the Prayers; to pay the Zakh; to perform Hajj and fasting in the month of Ramadn.

ReligionThe belief in a divine being which is worthy of worship and obedience (Al Qaradawi, 2010).

ReligiosityReligiosity is a term researchers use to quantify an individuals commitment to any particular religion (VanVleet et al., 1999).

ResidentsRefers to prisoners in the Prison-based Democratic Therapeutic Community.

SpiritualityA vision of human existence and of how the human spirit is to achieve its full potential (Sheldrake, 2012).

ZakhObligatory charity which is taken from the wealthy and given to the needy once a year (Alam, 2016).

Adverse Childhood Experiences

Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic

Childhood Emotional Neglect

Criminal Justice System

Crown Prosecution Service

Community Rehabilitation Company

Democratic Therapeutic Communities

Faith-based Interventions

Good Lives Model

Her Majestys Prison

Her Majestys Prison and Probation Service

Hierarchical Therapeutic Communities

InnerChange Freedom Initiative

Imprisonment for Public Protection

Liverpool Desistance Study

New Religious Movements

Office for National Statistics

Payment by Result

Prison-based Democratic Therapeutic Communities

Prison Fellowship Programmes

Risk-Need-Responsivity Model

Therapeutic Communities

United Kingdom