Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Jay Greiner

Abstract

The persistent disproportionate rates of Afro-American involvement within the criminal justice system at all levels have resulted in historic levels of unexplained mass incarceration. Despite federal guidance, the pandemic of unexplained mass incarceration persists. Some studies have noted that the lack of academic attention may be one of the primary reasons for the lack of change. Others have noted the need for centering and lifting the perspective of those who have been most impacted by these racial disparities. The intent of this study was to offer a qualitative close-up examination and analysis from the perspective of impacted populations. The ecological systems theory of human development and the critical race theory provided the conceptual framework. Through a critical policy ethnographic approach, the micro processes of two southwestern jurisdictions were studied to assess the roles of structural competency and integrity in systems change. The study revealed the need for a mindset shift that acknowledges and honors equitable access to basic human rights regardless of race. The mainstream population has been very slow to acknowledge the existence of any systemic problems. The lack of acknowledgment sets the stage for nonaction and the reinforcement of collective belief systems that shift blame and burdens to impacted individuals and groups whom they have classified as the other. With systems sanctioned groupthink, the exclusion of the other has become institutionalized and normalized. The study revealed that deep change on multiple levels is needed to bring about the desired systemic social change.

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