‘It’s ok if you were in for robbery or murder, but sex offending, that’s a no no’: a qualitative analysis of the experiences of 12 men with sexual convictions seeking employment

Figures & data

Table 1. Participant demographic and offence information.

Pseudonym	Age	Nationality & ethnicity	Offence	Sentence
Bryan	54	White British	Indecent Exposure (minors)	5 year community order Indefinite SOPO^a
Chris	49	White British	Internet – images (minors)	36 months
			Indecent Assault (minors)	5 years, 4 months
Frank	45	White British	Rape	8 years
Graeme	not disclosed	White British	Offence against children	2.5 years for breaches, 5 year IPP^b
Harvey	60	White British	Offence against children	10.5 years, IPP (has had sentences totalling 34 years)
Kev	57	White British	Gross indecent assault (child)	Life with a 6 year tariff. Currently 2 years over tariff
Liam	39	White British	Rape and false imprisonment (adult) 3 x prior sentences, non-sexual	15 years, life-licence
Mickey	38	White British	Internet – images (minors)	3 years
			Indecent Assault (minors)	5 years
Norman	55	White British	Internet – images (minors)	IPP, served 9 years
			Indecent Assault (minors)	6 years
Ricky	51	White British	Internet – images (minors)	3 years
Tony	55	White British	Indecent Assault (minors)	8 years
Wayne	65	White British	Non-specific sexual conviction	Not disclosed

^a SOPO – Sexual Offence Prevention Order (a prohibitive order restricting certain behaviours).

^b IPP – Indeterminate sentence for Public Protection (no pre-determined release date).

Table 2. Superordinate and subordinate themes.

Superordinate Theme	Subordinate Themes
Stigma as a Barrier to Employment	The disclosure bombshell
	Monsters, not fit for human company
Autonomy and Control	Employment giving meaning and purpose
	Self-isolation and loneliness
	I’d be better off in prison.

Data availability statement

Due to the nature of this research, participants of this study did not agree for their data to be shared publicly, so supporting data is not available.