title: Soldier, civilian, criminal: identifying pathways to offending of ex-armed forces personnel in prison.
abstract: Little is known about why some ex-armed forces personnel become involved in the criminal justice system, however, they represent the largest known occupational group in prison. In-depth interviews were employed to explore possible pathways to offending. Twenty ex-armed forces personnel in prison were recruited from five prisons in England. Data were analysed using a combination of thematic analysis and constant comparison methods rooted in grounded theory. Four predominant themes were identified:experiences of trauma and adversity; belonging; impulsivity and creating a soldier. Participants had experienced a number of traumatic incidents and adversity in their lives, encompassing pre, during and post-service but felt a sense of belonging in the armed forces. Participants demonstrated impulsivity in a number of areas with links to both their service in the armed forces and offending behaviour. The creation of the identity of 'soldier' was perceived to impact participants' lives in a number of ways, including their offending, alcohol use and coping with trauma. The interplay of these themes and their potential impact on participants' pathways to offending are discussed.
authors: Institute of Brain, Behaviour and Mental Health, University of Manchester , Manchester , UK.
authors: Verity
authors: V
authors: Wainwright
authors: Institute of Brain, Behaviour and Mental Health, University of Manchester , Manchester , UK.
authors: Sharon
authors: S
authors: McDonnell
authors: Institute of Brain, Behaviour and Mental Health, University of Manchester , Manchester , UK.
authors: Charlotte
authors: C
authors: Lennox
authors: Institute of Brain, Behaviour and Mental Health, University of Manchester , Manchester , UK.
authors: Jenny
authors: J
authors: Shaw
authors: Institute of Brain, Behaviour and Mental Health, University of Manchester , Manchester , UK.
authors: Jane
authors: J
authors: Senior
keywords: Ex-armed forces; mental health; offending; prison; qualitative methods