Date of Conferral

2020

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Criminal Justice

Advisor

Dr. Carolyn Dennis

Abstract

Reentry programs seek to reduce recidivism while maintaining community safety. Most reentry programs have focused on prison reentry and rarely on the reintegration of female offenders from jail to community which left a gap in the research literature. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to understand the barriers that hinder successful community reentry for the female offender. Using social learning theory as the theoretical perspective, this study was intended to gain a better understanding of criminality and deviant behavior among female jail detainees. To build a strong study and gain insight into jail reentry programs, institutional analysis and development framework was used. Through use of both theoretical and conceptual frameworks, a better understanding of jail reentry programs and how these programs may be used to help reduce recidivism among the female criminal offending population was reached. Thirteen offenders answered semistructured interview questions. Transcripts were coded and the themes of addiction, health, employment, family, education, home, finances, jail, programs, and resources emerged. These themes or barriers add information to the literature regarding the barriers that female offenders face at community reentry from jail. The key findings of this study were that when women leave jail, they are not given the resources needed to overcome the barriers that often lead to reoffending. Recommendations from this research can help policy makers understand the multiple barriers that hinder successful community reentry for female offenders. By understanding the barriers that hinder successful community reentry from jail, positive social change can occur.

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