Global ETD Search

21	The Lived Experiences of African-American Male Exoffenders in the Northeast United States Grant, Jacqueline 01 January 2018 (has links) 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. African-American Male Connecticut criminal justice system Ex-offenders Lived Experiences Northeast United States Criminology Criminology and Criminal Justice Law
22	The Relative Importance of Selected Variables on the Employment Consistency of Virginia Ex-Offenders Onyewu, Chinonyerem Nonye Chidozie 18 March 2009 (has links) 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. recidivism consistent employment career and technical education in prison ex-offender race negative behavior ex-offender attitudes ex-offenders employment consistency employment
23	Offender Recidivism: A Quantitative Study of Motivational Risk Factors and Counseling Dadashazar, Nazak 01 January 2017 (has links) 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. Counseling Education Criminogenic Needs Forensic Counseling Male Federal Ex-Offenders Motivational Risk Factors Recidivism Counseling Psychology Criminology Criminology and Criminal Justice Social and Behavioral Sciences
24	The Lived Experiences of Limited English Proficiency, Spanish-Speaking Male Ex-Offenders Sanchez, Paula Nery 01 January 2015 (has links) 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. dependence entrapment ex-offenders lack of support LEP Spanish-speaking men Environmental Law Environmental Policy Environmental Sciences
25	A study of the participation of Vhembe District Community Corrections Forum (CCF) members in the re-integration of ex-offenders into the community Magadze, Tshimangadzo Oscar January 2016 (has links) 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. Re-integration Restorative Justice Community Labelling Ex-offenders Ex-convicts -- South Africa -- Limpopo
26	Reentry Practitioners' Perceptions of Constraints During Ex-offenders' Job Search Process Francis, Crystal Raquel 01 January 2018 (has links) 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. ban-the-box Finding work after release Prisoner Reentry Reentry and Employment Criminology Criminology and Criminal Justice Labor Economics Public Policy
27	A COMMUNICATION GUIDE FOR EX-OFFENDERS Contreras, Richard Anthony 01 June 2018 (has links) 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 Ex-offenders Communication Parole Prison Jail Release into the community Arts and Humanities Criminology Demography, Population, and Ecology Inequality and Stratification Prison Education and Reentry
28	Using Social Cognitive Career Theory to Conceptualize and Develop a Measure of the Barriers to Career Choice for Individuals Who Have Criminal Records Cummings, Devon Leeann 17 December 2008 (has links) No description available. African Americans Behaviorial Sciences Criminology Demographics Gender Law Mental Health Occupational Psychology Psychology Social Psychology Social Research Social Structure Social Work Sociology Therapy Vocational Education Womens Studies ex-offenders social cognitive career theory criminals employment criminal record measure development barriers
29	African American Men Who Give Voice to the Personal Transition from Criminality to Desistance Nightingale, Naomi 28 February 2014 (has links) No description available. African American Studies African Americans Black Studies Criminology Social Psychology Sociology African American men criminality recidivism turning point desistance successful reentry criminals ex-offenders redemption narrative inquiry storytelling Black communities Blacks prison system interviews change
30	Funding Faithful Felons: A Phenomenological Analysis of the Higher Education Transitions of Ex-Offender Scholarship Recipients Leary, Judith A. 22 July 2015 (has links) No description available. Academic Guidance Counseling Adult Education Biblical Studies Bible Clerical Studies Community College Education Criminology Education Education Finance Education Policy Educational Sociology Educational Theory Ethics Families and Family Life Finance Higher Education Higher Education Administration Individual and Family Studies Law Legal Studies Minority and Ethnic Groups Pastoral Counseling Peace Studies Personal Relationships Philosophy Political Science Rehabilitation Religion Religious Congregations Religious Education School Finance Social Research Social Work Spirituality Teaching Theology Vocational Education Community Colleges Reentry Higher Education Faith Felons Ex-offenders Christian Liberal Arts Schlossberg Transition Stigma Labeling Invisible Stripes Phenomenology Colson Scholarship Prison Ministry Wheaton Prisoner Crime Correctional Education PSCE

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