Moral conversations and askesis as tools for change within youth justice

The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of moral conversations (MCs) within the context of youth justice as a potential resource for the process of change towards desisting from crime among a group of young offenders. It is centred on engagement with the perceptions and values of youth offenders in seeking to engage and work effectively with them, to consider in what ways the art of MCs and using askesis or practice to develop oneself can enable or constrain young people in their endeavours.

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 40 young offenders to ascertain their beliefs and values in relation to their attitude to offending.

The research found that an examination of an individual’s worldview through a MC enables practitioners to identify the potential and motivation for change. It can identify both the enablers and barriers to change, and elicit a young person’s real attitudes to offending. Crucially, the research found that through this process individuals can begin to think more about the possibility of transformation and the steps needed to modify their offending behaviour, in order to move away from crime and to begin to implement an alternative future.

The research is based on a small sample of 40 young offenders. However, the findings suggest that further research should be conducted in this area.

The research raises questions about how the issue of beliefs and values in relation to young offenders is navigated within the youth justice system.

The research examines an area of research that is often neglected and which has previously received little attention. The findings are of interest for academics and practitioners concerned with recidivism and the factors that contribute to changes in behaviour for young offenders.