This thesis is concerned with young men in prison and the manner in which identity processes impact on the transition from custody to community. The research is grounded in the participants' own accounts of their experiences and utilises an interpretative phenomenological analysis. Having contextualised the research with a detailed review of the relevant social psychological and criminological literature, Study 1 aims to explore the experiences of young men preparing for release from prison, and draws on the social psychological concepts of identity and reputation. Responding to the fact that criminological research tends to have a predominantly urban focus, Study 2 is concerned with pathways into offending and the return home for young prisoners from rural parts of the south west of England. Further highlighting cultural and community issues, Study 3 details the case study of a young Gypsy-Traveller in prison and after returning to the community. Turning to the impact of families, and in particular, parenthood on young men in prison, Study 4 introduces the relevance of a parenting identity on attitudes towards offending and life after release from prison. Drawing on the social psychological concept of possible selves, Study 5 explores the future self concept of young fathers in prison, whilst Study 6 investigates the types of parenting possible selves that are generated by this group of young prisoners. Concluding the focus on young fathers in prison, Study 7 describes the process and impact of delivering a parenting education programme in prison. Study 8 explores the experiences of family members who have previously been ignored in this area of research - the younger siblings of young men in prison. The research is summarised with a discussion detailing the impact of the research findings on the existing body of literature as well as policy and practice implications.