Date of Conferral
7-11-2024
Date of Award
July 2024
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Public Policy and Administration
Advisor
JoAnn McAllister
Abstract
Formerly incarcerated African American males have a challenging time transitioning back into the community due to invisible barriers that impede their opportunities for successful reintegration. This generic qualitative study aimed to explore criminal justice practitioners' perceptions regarding collateral consequence policies for formerly incarcerated African American males. The theoretical framework for the study was labeling theory, which explained how others stigmatize individuals due to their social and environmental characteristics. The research question guiding this study was how criminal justice practitioners perceived the impact of collateral consequence policies on the successful reintegration of African American males. Ten criminal justice practitioners including probation and parole officers, probation and parole supervisors, defense attorneys, prosecutors, and judges participated in this study. Data collection was through individual semi-structured interviews, and a thematic analysis of the data was conducted. The results from this study highlighted the need for education, restoration from loss of personal rights, intentional discriminatory practices, and barriers to successful reentry, which may be used to improve future collateral consequence policies and the prospects of formerly incarcerated African American men. This study’s implications for positive social change are sustained by the perceptions of criminal justice practitioners and by contributing to a safer community for all.
Recommended Citation
Williams, Ronnie Devon, "Criminal Justice Practitioners Perceptions on Collateral Consequence Policies Affecting Formerly Incarcerated African American Males" (2024). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 16221.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/16221
