A recent study published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour, part of the Springer Nature group, suggests that soccer may play a role in helping prisoners improve their behavior while incarcerated and reintegrate into society after release. The research provides new insights into how social connections can help reduce recidivism rates by drawing on coaching techniques and transferable skills learned from professional soccer players.
The study introduces a program known as The Twinning Project, initiated in the UK and now also active in the US, Italy, Australia, and South Africa. This program organizes soccer-based activities for incarcerated individuals to enhance their physical and mental well-being. It also assists prisoners in developing skills such as relationship-building and self-control, as well as obtaining certifications aimed at improving their conduct in prison and facilitating their transition back into society upon release.
The Twinning Project pairs prisons with local soccer clubs, including famous teams like Liverpool, Manchester United, and Chelsea. However, the effectiveness of this initiative in improving inmate behavior, reducing recidivism rates after release, or increasing employment opportunities for released individuals remains unclear.
To assess the success of The Twinning Project, the study’s lead and corresponding author, Martha Newson from the University of Oxford, along with her colleagues, analyzed the behavior of inmates across 45 UK prisons. By comparing the conduct of 676 participants in the program with 1,874 non-participants, they found that involvement in the project, which strengthens social connections, is typically associated with decreased misconduct in prison and an overall improvement in behavior.
Additionally, the research surveyed 1,797 individuals with hiring experience to identify factors that influence their willingness to employ ex-offenders. The results indicated that people are more likely to hire individuals with criminal records who have completed educational programs like The Twinning Project.
The authors conclude that soccer can create opportunities to foster social connections, aid rehabilitation, and support reintegration for prisoners. They also caution that the outcomes of the program may depend on the optimistic attitudes of the incarcerated individuals.
