Efter avtjänat straff - En studie om fängelsedömdas upplevelser av att återintegreras i samhället

Sammanfattning: The increase in crime is a high-profile problem area within the criminal policy debate in Sweden. Most political parties present stricter penalties as a possible solution. It is regulated by Swedish law how inmates shall, during their imprisonment, receive support in order to successfully reintegrate into society upon their release. This is in order to not relapse into crime. At the same time, former criminals have verified facing difficulties trying to reintegrate. This study aims to investigate how former prison inmates experience society and its attitude towards them upon their release. Furthermore, how this affects their opportunities for reintegration. To answer the issue, qualitative, semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven former prison convicts, both men and women. The material received during the interviews has then been analyzed through a thematic content analysis where common themes are highlighted. Furthermore, Symbolic Interactionism Theory has been used as the study's theoretical starting point which has contributed to an in-depth understanding of the analysis and to answer the question of the study. In summary, we establish that the legal standards and how they are intended for prisoners to reintegrate do not correspond with the social norms. Meaning, how reintegration works in theory is not how it works in practice. Informants in the study testify to a certain exclusion and difficulties in finding jobs and housing after serving their sentence. The results of the studies indicate a necessary change in the reintegration process or an evaluation of the Swedish Prison and Probation Service's work.