Date of Conferral

5-13-2025

Date of Award

May 2025

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Policy and Administration

Advisor

David DiBari

Abstract

There is a problem with recidivism in the North Carolina prison system and the United States. This study fills the gap in the literature by focusing on what life experiences contribute to behaviors in recently released offenders not to reoffend in North Carolina. Edmund Husserl's (1913) Transcendental Phenomenology used several angles of perception and a thematic analysis of the participant’s lived experiences. This study employed a purposive sampling method by targeting 17 participants who may have represented characteristics of the intended population. Researchers do not know what kept these released offenders from avoiding prison. This phenomenological design focused on the commonality of lived experiences within a sample group and allowed the exploration of extenuating circumstances that influence decisions of recently released offenders, not to reoffend. A peer reviewed interview instrument was used, inductive coding identified themes derived from raw data, participants' lived experiences surfaced without being restricted by race, gender, or criminal history. Participants who met the qualifying criteria had to be released from incarceration within the last 36 months, not have a conviction that was violent or sexual in nature, nor resulted in death. The findings of the study shared a commonality of cognitive choice, self-reflection, strong spiritual conviction, and personal accountability. These factors developed a crime free behavior in the participants. A proven transition plan has a potential to make positive social change by paving the path of future released offenders.

Download

Included in

Criminology Commons

Share

 
COinS