Date of Conferral

2-17-2025

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Human Services

Advisor

Barbara Benoliel

Abstract

Researchers have demonstrated that volunteers play a vital role in supporting the needs of those incarcerated in state correctional facilities, but the researchers fell short of elaborating on what stimulates the volunteers’ motivation, chosen roles, and selected areas for their contributions. Understanding the motivation of this group is valuable to ensure ongoing commitment for this important community role. The purpose of this study was to explore lived experiences of community state prison volunteers to better understand what motivates them. Dutta-Bergman’s theory of unified responsibility formed the framework for this generic qualitative study. Narrative data from interviews with six participants were collected from volunteers at a non-profit organization. The results from the thematic content analysis indicated that a) volunteers perceive they provide incarcerated people with positive social interactions and a sense of normalcy not necessarily available in their current environment, while b) at the same time provide the volunteers with a sense of contributing to the community and the lives of others. This study contributes to social change by informing state prison administrators about the thinking of volunteers in state prisons and emphasizing the need for continuity of these volunteers who maintain programs to help meet the needs of their communities.

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