Date of Conferral

2023

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Counselor Education and Supervision

Advisor

Katarzyna Peoples

Abstract

African American men are incarcerated at alarming rates and often recidivate at high rates within 3 years. Researchers have demonstrated that recidivism rates last through years 4 and beyond. There is limited qualitative data to provide strategies from formerly incarcerated African American males who have been successful at not recidivating for 10 or more years after their release. The purpose of this Afrocentric-hermeneutic phenomenological study was to bridge the gap in the literature and explore the lived experiences of African American males who were formerly incarcerated and have positively changed their lives to avoid further criminality. A purposeful and snowball sampling of 8 African American men was used to identify information-rich data to understand the phenomenon. The implications of this Heideggerian study enhanced multicultural competence through the participants’ worldview, which provided insight into recidivism, program development, strategic planning, criminal justice reform, and academia by listening to the voices of African American males which is often different from the worldview of the counselor. The results of this study yielded 10 key themes: (a) historical factors; (b) defining moments; (c) preparation for release; (d) religious beliefs; (e) self-actualization; (f) positive peer relationships; (g) mental health counseling; (h) allies; (i) relocation; and (j) giving back. All participants reported their perception of themselves changed when their perception of the world changed. The findings from this study serve several aspects of social change, including addressing social and community factors relevant to program development, intervention services, and the negotiation of race-matched counseling services.

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