Sport, Physical Activity, and Young People Who Are Incarcerated: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Criminology
• Sports Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Sport and physical activity are recognized as beneficial for youth development.
• Secure custody facilities for young people present unique challenges for implementing such programs.
• Existing literature on this topic is sparse and requires synthesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review of qualitative research on sport and physical activity for incarcerated youth.
• To identify key themes and gaps in the existing literature.
• To inform future research and policy development.

Main Methods:

• Systematic search of scholarly databases for qualitative studies.
• Inclusion of publications over a 22-year period.
• Thematic analysis of identified literature.

Main Results:

• The literature is geographically, substantively, and theoretically limited.
• Predominant themes include rehabilitation/desistance, program structure, coping mechanisms during incarceration, and health outcomes.
• Specific attention was given to gender and race within these themes.

Conclusions:

• There is a significant need for more research on sport and physical activity interventions for incarcerated youth.
• Findings provide a foundation for developing evidence-based programs.
• Further investigation is crucial for policymakers and practitioners.