Qualitative Study: Thematic Analysis of Young Offenders' Experiences

This report presents a thematic analysis of qualitative data collected through questionnaires administered to both young prisoners and their family members. The study explores the emotional and social impacts of incarceration on young offenders, examining themes such as feelings of isolation, guilt, and depression among prisoners, as well as social stigma, shame, and financial difficulties experienced by their families. The analysis identifies key factors contributing to youth crime, including family troubles, drug and alcohol abuse, and bullying. Furthermore, it investigates the effectiveness of incarceration as a deterrent and explores alternative approaches such as community service, therapy, and educational programs. The findings highlight the critical role of parental attention and support in preventing youth crime and suggest strategies for rehabilitation and reintegration.

Thematic Analysis of
Qualitative Data

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................3
METHODS OF ANALYSIS...........................................................................................................4
Data analysis methods for research study....................................................................................4
FINDINGS.......................................................................................................................................5
Questionnaire for young prisoners...............................................................................................5
Questionnaire for family members of young prisoners...............................................................9
DISCUSSION................................................................................................................................11
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................12
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................14
APPENDIX....................................................................................................................................15

INTRODUCTION
Young prisoners are those young people who have to go jail or gets into prison because
they had done practice which is against law (Tsegaye Sahle and et.al., 2019). Example:
smuggling, murder, robbery etc. when young people went to jail then their family have to go
through trauma which was very disturbing. Family gets emotionally and mentally disturbed. As
family is also dependent on young generation financially, emotionally etc and when they are into
jail then it will become very difficult for families to handle such situation. This report will
discuss social research and its different methods.
MAIN BODY
Social research:
It is the process which is used by the researchers so that they can learn about people of
the society in order to design such items and services which can fulfil people's need (Gordon,
2017). Different people have different thoughts. It has various methods which are as follows:
qualitative research:
It is the research which gather and analyse theory information which is non numerical in nature
in order to understand experience and concepts. This research is mostly used in social sciences
like sociology, health science etc.
Quantitative research:
It is the research which collects numerical data. This research can be used to draw
averages, for predictions or draw outcomes to wide population. It is also helpful in reaching
towards high sample size (Apuke, 2017). Information also gets collected quickly because
numbers have to be collected for statistical analysis. Information can be gathered through
interviews, surveys, questionnaire etc.
Ethical consideration:
This research is conducted by following all ethical principles. Research is done with full
honesty and transparency. Reference list is also attached at the end of the report so that it can
show that information is not copied from anywhere (Leikas and Kulju, 2018). While collecting
data researcher has faced many issues like finding out sample for interview was difficult.
Epistemology:

Epistemology is the philosophy which deals with knowledge. This is helpful in studying origin,
epistemic justification, knowledge or other research issues. It is the important part of philosophy
along with metaphysics, ethics and logic. Epistemology means logical discourse. The analysis of
knowledge and the conditions which is needed which constitute knowledge like justification and
truth. The structure of knowledge is not easy and involves all justified belief which is extracted
from fundamental beliefs (McKelvey, 2017). Knowledge is the vital thing and this method
evolved around knowledge only.
METHODS OF ANALYSIS
Data analysis methods for research study
After collecting data relevant to research study, scholars need to analyse them in order to
meet goals and getting positive outcomes. Data for this study will be gathered in non-numerical
form that means this study is qualitative. Primary data have collected for knowing about
emotions of young prisoners and their families. In primary data collection, data have gathered by
conducting questionnaire with both family members of young prisoners and young prisoners
themselves (Runco and Beghetto, 2019). With the help of some secondary or existing literature
also, this study has conducted as it is believed that research study can be improved by collecting
both primary and secondary data. 20 young prisoners and 20 family members have selected as a
sample for questionnaire or for collecting primary data. For analysing non-numerical data or
qualitative researcher, researcher needs to make use of appropriate qualitative data analysis tools.
If research is quantitative then researcher must use of quantitative data analysis tools for
analysing numerical form of data. For knowing all about emotions, reasons as why they have
been sent behind the bars, what their family members feel, thematic data analysis tool has used.
It is one of the effective data analysis tool that can help researcher in accomplishing goals and
taking decisions. Primary and secondary data can also help in knowing all about young prisoners
and it can be helpful in mitigating all causing factors and decreasing rate of young prisoners
(Jackson and Bazeley, 2019).
FINDINGS
Questionnaire for young prisoners
For knowing about emotions of young prisoners and their family members, questionnaire
have conducted. Some relevant questions have asked from both young prisoners and their family

members. It can help us out in improving strategies for decreasing this rate and making the world
better. Some questions that have asked from young prisoners include:
Theme 1: Do you think that incarceration of all young offenders will help you out in learning a
lesson?
Particular Outcomes
Yes 13
No 7
Interpretation: On the basis of above data, it can clearly be said that majority of young
prisoners or 13 young prisoners believe that sending them behind the bars can teach them a
lesson. They said that they have felt so many things while being here and they really think that
until they do not punish like this then they it can be difficult for them to come out from crimes
and toxic situations. So, after getting in the jail and as per their experience they said that all of
them should be incarceration and it can teach them a life lesson. Whereas, 7 prisoners said that
incarceration cannot change their behaviour and people should use different ways for punishing
or teaching a lesson to all young prisoners.
Theme 2: How do you feel after being imprisoned?
Particular Outcomes
Isolated or loneliness 8
Feeling of guilt 5
Depressed 7

Interpretation: when young prisoners were asked about their feelings then 8 prisoners
said that they feel isolated and lonely and at this age they feel support and friendly relationship.
They said that there is no one from whom they can share their feelings and they miss their family
members. 5 prisoners said that they have feeling of guilt or a guilt of committing crimes, making
their parents feel ashamed. 7 young prisoners said that they have become depressed because of
isolation and torture.
Theme 3: Why did you commit crime that lead or for which you have been sent behind the bars?
Particular Outcomes
Family troubles 8
Drug and alcohol abuse 7
Bullying 5

Interpretation: For decreasing rate of young imprisonment, it was important to know the
main causes of young people to commit crimes. In this regard, 8 prisoners said that family
troubles like violence, lack of attention was their main reason as it makes them depressed. 7
prisoners said due to drug and alcohol abuse they are being imprisoned and have sent in prison. 5
prisoners said that due to having a bad company and because of becoming victim of bullying,
they committed crimes.
Theme 4: What is your main daytime activity?
Particular Outcomes
Unemployed 6
Drug rehab course 7
Education and work 4
Education only 3
Interpretation: For more knowing about reasons and background of young prisoners,
they were asked about their daily activities. In regard this 6 young prisoners said that they are
unemployed so spend a lot of time on mobile phones and roaming here and there. 7 prisoners
said that they had joined drug rehab course and spending time in this course was their main daily
activity. 4 prisoners interpreted that they used to spend time in education and work whereas 3
prisoners said that they focused or spent time in education only.

Theme 5: Have you ever experienced the use of restraint and control procedure by officers in
jail?
Particular Outcomes
Yes 14
No 6
Interpretation: Young prisoners were asked about restraint and control by officers if in
jail officers treat them in an ineffective manner or become violent. 14 prisoners said yes that
some general controlling is being done with them that makes difficult to survive and spending
time here. 6 young prisoners said as all they are young and it is not allowed to treat in an
ineffective manner of becoming controller that is why they have not experienced this by officers
and it can be beneficial for them.
Theme 6: According to you what should be the way of helping all of you by being in the jail?
Interpretation: All young prisoners were given an equal chance in order to know their
feelings and emotions what they feel, what they want now and all. For this reason, they were
asked an open ended question in which all young prisoners shared their feelings. Some prisoners
said that according to them they should be given one more chance and by making them aware
about consequences and all treatments that happen in the jail. Young prisoners should be set free
from jail. Before sending them behind the bars, system and other institutes should educate them
and tell them the difference between the wrong and right. Some other prisoners said that they
should be allowed to do exercise and in the jail, they should be provided opportunity to take
participate in educational and other mind refreshment programs.

Questionnaire for family members of young prisoners
Theme 1: How do you feel when your young child commit crime and go behind the bars?
Particular Outcomes
Social stigma 8
Feeling of shame 7
Loneliness and guilt 5
Interpretation: Family members were asked about their young children when they
commit crimes and sent behind the bars. The main aim was knowing their emotions so; they
were asked as how they feel. 8 family members said that they have feeling of social
discrimination or social stigma. People of society see them as they have committed a bad crime
and they said no one wants to talk to them. 7 people said that they feel ashamed as their children
committed crimes. 5 parents said that they become alone and have guilt as why did not they take
proper care of their children.
Theme 2: According to you, what is the best way for helping young offenders?
Particular Outcomes
Community service 5
Therapy 6
School programming 4
Youth prisons 5

Interpretation: When parents were asked about other ways of helping out young
offenders then 5 parents said that young offenders should be encouraged to take participation in
community services. 5 other parents said that they should be sent in youth prisons where they can
learn the difference between the right and wrong and impacts of crimes that they did. 6 family
members said that they should be provided therapy and 4 parents interpreted that school
programming related to crimes and ethics can be the best as here they can learn about good
habits, bad habits and consequences of bad habits.
Theme 3: Does it create financial problem when your male child has been sent behind the jail?
Particular Outcomes
Yes 15
No 5

Interpretation: In regard to impacts of young prisoners, parents were asked if their male
child have sent behind the bars then what happened with them. In this context 15 parents or
family members said yes that they face financial problems when their male young child is being
imprisoned. 5 parents denied and said no that loneliness and feelings of ashamed is more than
financial instability. They do not face such finance related problems.
Theme 4: According to you what is the main reason of increasing rate of young imprisonment?
Interpretation: Parents were also asked about the reasons as why rate of young
imprisonment is increasing and if they feel that they are one of them. In this regard, some parents
said that lack of attention towards their children due to busy schedule is one of the main reason
as they commit crimes. Some other parents also shared their feelings and said that being in the
bad company and having friends who also commit crimes is the main reason of increasing rate of
young imprisonment. Lack of awareness and becoming addict in alcohol and drugs consumption
also become reasons of crimes.
DISCUSSION
On the basis of above findings, it can clearly be said that lack of parents’ attention is one of
the main reason of increasing rate of young imprisonment. When parents do not give proper
attention and do not take care of them then children go outside and being fall in bad companies.
They are at the age where they do not have knowledge to differentiate the difference between the
right and wrong and due to this they start committing crimes and bullying others (Jenkins,
2017). From above findings, it has known that young prisoners feel alone and have feelings of
guilt when they are sent behind the bars. They become alone there and feel that they have
affected their parents and it would be difficult for them to live there without having someone
who is closer to them.
It can be understood better with SIGMUND FREUD’S theory. As per this theory, it is
believed that human mind is structured into 2 parts such as: conscious and unconscious. The
conscious mind includes all the things from which people are aware and the unconscious mind
includes all those things that are difficult to be aware of. Some unconscious things include:
wished, urge, hopes, memories and others. This theory also believes that events in our childhood

also has a great impact or influence in our lives as it shapes our personality. So, as per this
theory, existing literature and above discussed findings, it can clearly be said that whatever
happened with children affect them and makes them criminal. So, it is important for parents to
take extra care of them and find out who are their friends, what they do when parents go to office
and job (Żechowski, 2017).
FUNCTIONALIST theory also plays a vital role in understanding human behaviour as it
can help us out in knowing as why young people commit crimes, what happens with them and
all. This theory sees society as a complex system whose different parts work together in order to
promote stability. Each aspect of society is interdependent in society and they altogether
contribute society’s stability as a whole. For example: if government provide education for
children which in turns pay taxes on which state is depended. So, as per this theory, it can be said
that society must understand that they play a vital role in shaping behaviour of people so they
should focus on participating in good things (Levitt, 2019). If society members’ focuses on
positive things, then they can encourage their children for the same and it can make positive
changes. It has already been discussed that company plays a vital role as if children be in good
company then they can keep away themselves from committing crimes. Overall, it can be said
that young imprisonment has negative impact on mental health of both young prisoners and their
family members as well.
Conclusion
Through this report it can be concluded that when young people went to jail then it is not
easy for their family to handle all such thing because they emotionally get disturbed. And going
to jail is not good and that also hurts an individual's image and his or her career. This report has
discussed about various social research methods. Epistemology is related with knowledge. It is
the symbol of belief and also useful in addressing various issues. Epistemology is the Greek
word which refers to knowledge. Knowledge is considered as pure when it is collected with
honesty and truth.

REFERENCES
Apuke, O.D., 2017. Quantitative research methods: A synopsis approach. Kuwait Chapter of
Arabian Journal of Business and Management Review, 33(5471), pp.1-8.
Jackson, K. and Bazeley, P., 2019. Qualitative data analysis with NVivo. Sage.
Jenkins, W.J., 2017. An Analysis of Sigmund Freud’s The Interpretation of Dreams. Macat
Library.
Leikas, J. and Kulju, M., 2018. Ethical consideration of home monitoring technology: A
qualitative focus group study. Gerontechnology. 17(1). pp.38-47.
Levitt, H.M., 2019. Applications of a functionalist theory of gender: A response to reflections
and a research agenda. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 43(3), pp.309-316.
McKelvey, B., 2017. Model‐centered organization science epistemology. The Blackwell
companion to organizations, pp.752-780
Runco, M.A. and Beghetto, R.A., 2019. Primary and secondary creativity. Current Opinion in
Behavioral Sciences. 27. pp.7-10.
Tsegaye Sahle, E. and et.al., 2019. Bacteriologically-confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis in an
Ethiopian prison: prevalence from screening of entrant and resident prisoners. PloS
one. 14(12). p.e0226160.
Żechowski, C., 2017. Theory of drives and emotions-from Sigmund Freud to Jaak
Panksepp. Psychiatr Pol. 51(6). pp.1181-1189.

APPENDIX
Questionnaire for family members
1. Feeling when your young child commit crime and being imprisoned?
 Social stigma
 Feeling of shame
 Loneliness and guilt
2. What is the best way for helping young offenders?
 Community service
 Therapy
 School programming
 Youth prisons
3. Does it create financial problem when your male child has been sent behind the jail?
 Yes
 No
4. According to you what is the main reason of increasing rate of young imprisonment?
………….
Questionnaire for young prisoners
1. Can incarceration of all young offenders help you out in learning a lesson?

 Yes
 No
2. Feeling after being imprisoned?
 Isolated or loneliness
 Feeling of guilt
 Depressed
3. Reasons of committing crime that lead or for which you have been sent behind the bars?
 Family troubles
 Drug and alcohol abuse
 Bullying
4. What is your main daytime activity?
 Unemployed
 Drug rehab course
 Education and work
 Education only
5. Have you ever experienced the use of restraint and control procedure by officers in jail?
 Yes
 No
Gordon, E.C., 2017. Understanding in epistemology.