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.