Community practitioners supporting young men with borderline intellectual functioning in the criminal justice system: capability for voice and agency

Abstract

This article is based on findings from a recent study of community practitioners working in re-entry and reintegration support services in South East Queensland, Australia, which examined the role and influence of these practitioners on young men with mild intellectual impairment or borderline intellectual functioning who were involved in the criminal justice system. The article reflects upon practitioners’ agentic influence and capability for voice across the community services sectors and proposes the extent to which practitioners believed this affected the options available to vulnerable young men with borderline intellectual functioning in the community. The article draws on data collected from the qualitative study, which included interviews with community practitioners and observations of practitioner–client sessions. These data were analysed using a grounded theory approach. The analytical strategy applied Sen’s capability framework within which to interpret the capabilities of practitioners. Practitioners were drawn from funded community organisations providing offender reintegration services, a homelessness service, and a volunteer community group working with ex-prisoners. Findings suggest that reintegration of vulnerable young men with borderline intellectual functioning requires community practitioners to exercise capability for voice and agency in ways that build relational environments. Interaction between re-entry and reintegration services and the broader community services sector can create practical opportunities for support within the reach of young men with borderline intellectual functioning towards community reintegration.