81

This article focuses on incarcerated adolescents from immigrant families. Analysis of their discourse shows that they feel rejected by society, are ashamed to be themselves and suffer from identity issues. Legitimizing their speech within the context of a support group helps them become receptive to an encounter and enables them to make sense of their transgressions and their history. In this way they have been able to make the psychic adjustments necessary for elaborating their cultural compromise, which helps them to be reconciled with their multiple affiliations.