Hostel Life

This book reports an in-depth ethnographic study of§the experiences of sex offenders within a Probation§Approved Premises (hostel). The hostel is used as an§example of institutions in which sex offenders are§placed whilst in transition between prison and the§community. Emphasis is placed upon the routines of§life and the daily interactions between residents and§staff. §§Three main areas are focussed upon. Fistly, the§formal life of the hostel including views upon the§purpose of the hostel, the official rules of the§hostel and reintegration of residents. Secondly the§informal life of the hostel is considered. This§includes staff attitudes towards their role and sex§offender residents, the territorial use of hostel§space, grouping by residents and staff within the§hostel, and how sex offender residents construct and§represent themselves. The final area considered is§the decision-making process within Multi-Agency§Public Protection Panels regarding the risk§management of sex offenders. §§Thus, 'Hostel Life' seeks to shed light on life§inside hostel institutions for sex offenders and how§they react to mechanisms designed to reform and§manage them.