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A soccer-based intervention improves incarcerated individuals' behaviour and public acceptance through group bonding
Martha Newson1, Linus Peitz2,3, Jack Cunliffe4
1Centre for the Study of Social Cohesion, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK. m.newson@greenwich.ac.uk.
Nature Human Behaviour
|October 14, 2024
Summary
Positive group bonds, fostered by the Twinning Project, improve behavior in prison and community reintegration. This soccer-based intervention enhances social cohesion, reducing re-offending and aiding employment for formerly incarcerated individuals.
Area of Science:
- Criminology
- Social Psychology
- Sports Science
Background:
- Rising global incarceration rates necessitate effective strategies to reduce re-offending.
- Positive social bonds are crucial for behavioral change and successful community reintegration.
- Existing interventions often overlook the role of group identity and community support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the Twinning Project, a soccer-based intervention, on incarcerated individuals' behavior.
- To analyze the relationship between social cohesion and behavioral improvements within the prison system.
- To explore the impact of the intervention on desistance from crime and community acceptance of formerly incarcerated people.
Main Methods:
- Study 1: Quasi-experimental design comparing Twinning Project participants (n=676) to a control group (n=1,874) on behavioral outcomes.
- Study 2: Longitudinal analysis (n=388) of social cohesion patterns among participants.
- Studies 3-9: Examination of desistance from crime (n=249) and community willingness to employ ex-offenders (n=1,797) in the UK and US.
Main Results:
- Participation in the Twinning Project correlated with improved behavior within correctional facilities.
- Increased social bonding was longitudinally associated with positive behavioral changes.
- Community members showed greater willingness to employ individuals who had participated in the intervention.
Conclusions:
- The Twinning Project effectively leverages positive group identities to improve behavior and reduce re-offending.
- Strengthening social bonds within prisons and fostering supportive communities are key to addressing the global incarceration crisis.
- Interventions that bridge prison and community through shared activities can enhance reintegration success.
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