Beyond incarceration: A phenomenological study into the educational experiences of Veterans who have been in prison

There have been several studies (Fossey, Treadwell, Wesley, McManus, Iverson) carried out on the number of Veterans that have been incarcerated in prison and the offences that they have committed. There has been much interest in the issues faced by Veterans incarcerated with much of the research being quantatitive. 

The aim of the study is to understand why Veterans form the biggest cohort in the criminal justice system.

This PhD study uses timelines and interviews to allow Veterans to speak about their lived experiences.

The study explores the issues from the view point of the three accepted forms of learning from their formal education in school, informal learning of the hidden curriculum, and the non-formal aspects that Veterans received from their family and friends.

For individuals to have been considered for participation on the study they must:

• Be supported by Veterans’ organisations in the Merseyside / Liverpool City Region area
• Served in the UK Armed Forces, both regular and reserve (RAF, RN, Army)
• Male
• Be above the age of 21
• Having served their first custodial sentence
• Having left custody between 6 months and up to 2 years.