Pedagogies of Sport in Youth Detention: Withholding, Developing, or Just “Busying the Youth”?

This article examines pedagogies of sport in youth detention, drawing on ethnography (primarily participatory observations and interviews) at two all-male detention homes Sweden. Focusing youths’ experiences situated discourse practice, three doing are described: withholding sport, busying with as developmental community. The young men this study experienced mixed messages through revealing how rehabilitation was obscured by predominant (i.e., punishment or correction) containment filling the time). Yet there were glimpses another pedagogy, community, pedagogical work underpinning endeavor highlighted. illustrates competing functions justice—punishment, containment, development—are accomplished, experienced, (sport) practice.