"It's Just Flourishing Hope Everywhere": The Experiences of Incarcerated Men Sharing Their Stories

Rebecca Tryon, University of Southern Maine, Portland, USA.
Paula Gerstenblatt, University of Southern Maine, Portland, USA.
Andrew Bove, University of Southern Maine, Portland, USA.

Abstract

Of the 2.2 million people incarcerated throughout the United States, 93% are men. The current phenomenological study adds to the existing body of qualitative research on the lived experiences of men who are incarcerated and supports storytelling as a therapeutic technique. Four essential themes were revealed through an analysis of participant interviews: (1) substance use, (2) anticipation of storytelling, (3) the act of storytelling, and (4) reflections on storytelling. Understanding these experiences can assist in the development of storytelling-based interventions and community programing that is mutually beneficial to both the teller and the listener.