Date of Conferral

10-6-2025

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Criminal Justice

Advisor

Greg Koehle

Abstract

In rural communities, treatment and supportive resources are limited, putting ex-offenders (EXOs) at an increased risk for relapse or recidivism. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand, through semistructured interviews, the experiences of EXOs who completed the court residential treatment center, intermediate sanction facility, or substance abuse felony punishment facility, and returned to a rural county in Texas, along with the perspectives of 11 community supervision officers who worked closely with the EXOs. This study was guided by Agnew’s general strain theory, which posits that drug-involved offenders achieve successful reentry in rural areas when positive supports are present, and drug-involved offenders recidivate when barriers outweigh available supports. Thematic analysis revealed the themes of environment (e.g., prosocial networks, stigma, etc.) and resources (e.g., employment issues, transportation, financial strains, etc.) that impacted the reentry and recovery of EXOs. The findings emphasized the need for improved collaboration between agencies, providing additional resources, addressing barriers in rural areas, and enhancing the transition process. These recommendations could help reduce recidivism and increase positive recovery outcomes, thereby creating positive social change for EXOs, their families, and other members of the rural communities in which they live. This study may also provide important insight to probation departments, treatment facilities, policymakers, community leaders, and other changemakers working to reduce recidivism and improve recovery outcomes.

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