Date of Conferral

2020

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Criminal Justice

Advisor

Joseph Pascarella

Abstract

AbstractThe purpose of this qualitative case study was to determine the effectiveness of prerelease and reentry programs on recidivism from the perspective of male ex-offenders. The prison population in the United States in 2.3 million according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Most ex-offenders recidivate in the first 3 years. Prerelease and reentry programs are responsible for successful reintegration for many ex-offenders. However, this study revealed that a holistic approach to rehabilitation pre-and postrelease contributed to a better quality of life for ex-offenders, their families, and communities. The operant conditioning and social cognitive theories provided the theoretical foundation for this study. The central research question addressed how prerelease and reentry programs impact recidivism. This research study was a qualitative case study. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 41 male ex-offenders who had not been rearrested in the past year. Data were analyzed using NVivo to determine codes and themes to answer the research questions. The key results of the study were that prerelease and reentry programs need to be gender-based and culturally competent. Risk assessments need to be completed to determine the best programming for the inmates in a specific institution. The study also found that incarceration is effective in deterring crime, but not in reducing recidivism. The goal of incarceration should be rehabilitation. The implication for positive change is that policymakers, corrections officials, and other stakeholders will consider that many factors contribute to unsuccessful reintegration and programs prerelease and reentry programs must focus on reducing the risk factors for committing crimes.

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