Date of Conferral

10-3-2024

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Criminal Justice

Advisor

Dr. Daniel Jones

Abstract

The confluence of two devastating circumstances—the COVID-19 pandemic and the crowded, insalubrious living conditions in American jails as a result of mass incarceration, brought about an epidemic of an unprecedented magnitude. The large jail population, highly susceptible to infections due to overcrowded conditions, experienced exponential spread of the virus. While earlier research examined unhealthy situations related to the prison environment and their effects on inmates, the focus of such studies was not typically major crises or disease outbreaks in prisons. This qualitative phenomenological study used 10 participants located in the southeastern United States as a case study to better understand the lived experiences of formerly incarcerated African American men during the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact on the men’s psychological and physiological well-being. Recruitment was conducted using a demographic and interest survey. Purposive sampling was used, and semi structured interviews were conducted via Zoom and in face-to-face meetings for maximum insight. Responses to these interviews were then coded and analyzed to determine the most frequent challenges faced by these individuals during the pandemic. The responses highlighted unsanitary conditions, loneliness, and isolation due to overcrowding, deaths from COVID-19, and inadequate healthcare as the main challenges. Additionally, fear, helplessness, stress, anxiety, and a sense of uncertainty were expressed. This study’s findings suggest that policymakers and key stakeholders can create positive social change and implement needed improvements by developing effective management and policy reforms to upgrade living conditions across the nation’s prison system.

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