Paroled offenders and ex-offenders' retention and completion for 3 small-sized prisoner- release intervention programs in Columbus, Ohio, continue to decline. Prisoner-release intervention programs aid paroled offenders and ex-offenders with societal reentry. Influenced by the conceptual framework of the social control theory, this exploratory multiple case study was designed to contribute to the common understanding of the paroled offenders and ex-offenders' retention and completion in the small-sized prisoner release intervention programs. The 18 participants included stakeholders from the criminal justice system, prisoner-release intervention programs, community advocacy organizations, and drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers. Analysis of data collected from interviews and telephone calls resulted in the emergence of codes, themes, and categories. The findings from this study could be used by the programs to establish a proactive presence in the prison systems before inmate release for early intervention. Further, the small-sized prisoner-release intervention programs could use the findings to develop new initiatives, and scholars could use the findings to better understand the social conditions affecting small-sized prisoner-release intervention programs.

Discrimination, racism, and class bias affects the accessibility of resources available to African American males who are exoffenders. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of African American, male exoffenders' ability to access resources postincarceration. Guided by Bell and Freeman's critical race theory, a purposeful sample of 6 African American, male exoffenders were recruited from 2 reentry programs in the Northeast United States. A semistructured interview approach was employed to examine the life history, details of experience, and reflection on the meaning of the lived experience from the participants. The modified Stevick, Colaizzi, and Keen method of analysis was used to analyze the interview data. Seven themes emerged that included the stigma of a criminal record, lack of resources, good family support, the importance of employment, accountability, responsibility, lack of education, and the environment that can impact the success or failure of an exoffender's reentry. Policymakers in the criminal justice system can change the current policy that underestimates the extent to which the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 has affected the resources that African American, male exoffenders need to reintegrate into society. The positive social change implication is that service providers can use the results of this study to better serve the needs of African American, male exoffenders as they transition from prison into society.

To decrease the steady rise in the prison population, we must deter ex-offenders from re-offending and recidivating, once they have been released. For ex-offenders, finding employment is critical to successful post-release re-integration which can help reduce the chances of them recidivating. Ex-offenders who are consistent in their employment patterns are less likely to return to a life of crime. This study investigated the relative importance and significance of 11 selected variables on four separate levels of employment consistency. The selected variables were chosen based on what has been identified in the literature as effecting employment patterns of ex-offenders and the general population, and what data was reliable and available. The study group consisted of 2,314 male Virginia ex-offenders released in fiscal year 2001. The results revealed that the variables of time served, career and technical education program completions, educational level, age at release, race, and being convicted of a violent offense were positive predictors of employment consistency. On the other hand, having a record of minor infractions and being a repeat offender were associated with decreasing employment consistency in the analysis. The findings of the study suggest that it is important for offenders to make changes in the ways they think and their attitudes. This can be accomplished by taking advantage of opportunities in prison to participate in rehabilitative services and educational programs. In addition, as offenders get older they tend to abandon criminal ways of thinking, and once released they are more apt to stay employed. Furthermore, the influence of the race variable did not affect the study group of ex-offenders as anticipated. / Ph. D.

Denna kvalitativa studie syftar till att i en svensk kontext undersöka olika arbetsgivares inställning till att anställa före detta kriminella individer. Ex-kriminella avviker från de gemensamma normerna i samhället, och fördomarna mot dem tenderar att försvåra återintegrationen då deras brottsregister exempelvis minskar deras chanser på arbetsmarknaden. Studiens frågeställningar berör hur arbetsgivare ser på att anställa före detta kriminella individer, och vilka faktorer som ligger bakom deras inställning till ex-kriminella under rekryteringsprocessen. Detta undersöks med hjälp av en hermeneutisk metodansats. Studiens empiriska material har samlats in genom semistrukturerade intervjuer med åtta olika arbetsgivare. Det teoretiska ramverket denna studie har förhållit sig till är normer, stämplingsteorin och stigmatisering. Resultatet påvisar att majoriteten av arbetsgivarna är mindre öppna till att anställa en individ med en kriminell bakgrund. Studien visar vidare att arbetsgivarnas ställningstaganden påverkas av faktorer som berör brottets karaktär, hur länge sedan det var brottet utfördes och om den ex-kriminella är ärlig om sitt förflutna. Några av de slutsatser som framkommer i denna studie är att arbetsgivare påverkas av samhällets normer av ex-kriminella och deras stigmatisering. Dessutom går det att utläsa, med stöd från stämplingsteorin, att vad som anses vara avvikande eller ej beror på vilken arbetsgivare du frågar. / This qualitative study aims to investigate different Swedish employer's attitudes toward employing ex-criminals. Ex-criminals deviate from the norms of society and the stereotypes against them tend to make reintegration difficult as their criminal records, for example, reduce their chances in the labor market. In this study, we want to examine employers' views towards hiring ex-offenders, and what affects their attitudes towards an ex-offender during the recruitment process. Using a hermeneutic method, we collected the empirical material through semi-structured interviews with eight different employers. The empirical material in this study has been analyzed through the perspective of norms, labeling theory and stigmatization. The result shows that the majority of employers are less open to ex-criminals, and there is a minority who are more open to it. The factors behind employers' attitudes are, for example, the nature of the crime, how long it has been since it was committed and whether the ex-criminal is honest with their past. Conclusions made from this study have shown that employers' attitudes are affected by society's norms and the stigmatization of ex-offenders. Additionally, it can educate that what is considered deviant or not depends on which employer you ask.

The prison system releases over 590,000 inmates annually, adding to the current 5 million ex-offenders on supervised release. The purpose of this study was to explore the problem of increasing recidivism by identifying ex-offenders' dynamic risk and criminogenic need factors using the Level of Service Inventory-Revised (LSI-R), coupled with or without mental health services during reentry in relation to recidivism. This quantitative, nonexperimental, cross-sectional study included data collected from a sample of 128 male recidivist and nonrecidivist federal ex-offenders currently on supervised release, who were recruited during probation office meetings within the South Texas region. Regression analysis yielded statistical significance for all 3 of the study's research questions (RQ). RQ1 was to determine whether a difference existed between the LSI-R scores of recidivist and nonrecidivist ex-offenders. RQ2 was to determine if there was a difference in the LSI-R scores of ex-offenders who have or have not attended mental health counseling during reentry. RQ3 was to determine whether there was a relationship between ex-offenders who have undergone counseling or not during reentry and recidivism. The analysis revealed a correlation between ex-offender's risk factors, counseling received, and recidivism. A recommendation from this study is to increase research and specialized training in forensic counseling in the counseling field, currently not required by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Furthermore, the findings of this study could contribute to positive social change for the prison officials, reentry agencies, and forensic mental health professionals in identifying higher-risk factors to help combat recidivism.

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of Spanish-speaking men in the United States with limited English proficiency following their release from prison. The study specifically examined the experiences of these men in their efforts to access health care treatment, housing, education, and employment in Central Pennsylvania. An empirical, phenomenological research design was employed that used self-stigma, critical race, and self-determination theories for in-depth interviews with 8 men who spent 5 to 24 years in prison. A tiered coding method was used to generate 6 interconnected themes that tell the story of these men's lives: (1) a genuine desire to change (2) a lack of effective communication, (3) a sense of dependency on others, (4) a persistent lack of social support, (5) a perception of resentencing by society, and (6) a perception of entrapment with little possibility to get out. This study promotes positive social change by demonstrating a need for more effective transitional programs for this demographic and additional need for counselor training programs to actively recruit and train more Spanish-speaking counselors for work with this population. The results can be used by counselors and mental health providers to develop programs that would support families such as job training and second language instruction within correctional facilities. Implementing these recommendations is expected to reduce crime and facilitate the healthy integration of this population into the mainstream society post incarceration.

Thesis (Ph.D. (Criminology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2016 / Community involvement in ex-offenders’ re-integration is an important issue in efforts to reduce recidivism and to control overcrowding in our correctional facilities. Crime is a social problem which requires society to come together to fight against. The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) introduced Community Corrections Forums (CCFs) with the aim of controlling re-offending by ex-offenders. CCFs were established in each region to bring the community, business and stakeholders together to facilitate rehabilitation and re-integration. This study was conducted in the Limpopo Province, in Vhembe District Municipality within four local municipalities, namely Musina, Makhado, Mutale and Thulamela. A total number of 30 participants were interviewed and all were members of Community Corrections Forums. This was necessitated by the fact that Musina is a very small area which compelled the Department of Correctional Services to combine the two (Musina and Makhado) into one social re-integration entity. This is a qualitative research study where participants were selected through the use of purposive sampling. Participants were selected based on the value they would add to this study in order to achieve objectives. The data collection method of this study was the focus group which comprised by 3 groups of 10 participants each. Thulamela and Mutale local municipalities formed a group with (10) participants each whereas Musina (2) and Makhado (8) formed another. Results indicate that the current situation is not conducive for re-integration to be successful. CCF members raised many factors that need serious redress, namely offenders’ discrimination, lack of forgiveness by members of the community which is fuelled by lack of community awareness due to lack of education of communities by the Department of Correctional Services on reduce space of ex-offenders’ re-integration. The relationship between CCF and DCS raises many questions based on the results. Without a good working relationship between these two offices, the study observed that there would be no successful re-integration policy. Theoretical implications of the investigation based on labelling theory are discussed, together with practical applications for ex-offenders. The latter face daunting barriers to successful re-integration. Successful re-entry requires strong community support networks and comprehensive services by DCS, both of which are lacking in Vhembe District.

Unemployment among formerly incarcerated citizens is a complex problem that continues to grow. Previous reentry studies describe the collateral effects of incarceration on employment from the perspective of formerly incarcerated individuals, yet little academic research exists regarding reentry practitioners' perceptions of constraints during the job search process. Using Goldratt's theory of constraints as the foundation, the purpose of this case study of reentry and employment in a mid-Atlantic state was to explore from the perspective of practitioners, the types of constraints individuals with criminal records face during the job search process, the most difficult phase of the job search process, and recommendations on improving employment outcomes. Data for this study were obtained from 20 reentry professionals in Maryland, who completed an online, open-ended response survey. Data were inductively coded and subjected to thematic analysis procedure. The results showed that practitioners perceived the background check to be the most difficult phase in the job search process, and that external and environmental constraints such as employer bias and social stigma prevent individuals with criminal records from securing job offers. The results also showed that reentry professionals support automatic record expungement, record shielding, employer partnerships, and employment programming that provides job leads, resume building, and mock interview assistance. The positive social change implications stemming from this study include policy recommendations to policy makers to include centralizing and expanding the location of statewide employment centers, record shielding under the Second Chance Act, and fair education access through Ban-the Box for state colleges.

Incarceration rates and the release rate of ex-offenders into the community are both increasing. Studies have shown, on a consistent basis, that, while incarcerated, ex-offenders experience lower literacy levels than the general population, suffer emotional and mental distress from a harsh prison life, and suffer from the negative effects of public perception. Ex-offender anger abounds. These factors interfere with an inmate’s ability to communicate effectively. Notwithstanding, upon release from custody, how do we help such ex-offenders communicate? Many handbooks exist to help former inmates. However, the vast majority only offer assistance with locating government social services agencies, obtaining documents, and helping with jobs. A few offer help with finding mentors. However virtually none assist with communication techniques. Utilizing clear and simple language, A Communication Guide for Ex-Offenders fills this gap. The guide consists of three sections: the first defines basic concepts of communication, including contextual and cultural aspects. Additionally, it contains information on how ex-offenders can communicate more effectively despite suffering from various mental and emotional issues. Finally, a theoretical application focuses on the importance of disclosing information and making a favorable impression. At the end of each section, there is a review of concepts. This manual will also contain two new features in the application of communication studies and the ex-offender population: A communication ‘Bill of Rights’ for ex-offenders and a pledge on ex-offender responsibilities

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