Attitudes of Returning Citizens in Government-Managed Post-Release Programming

Attitudes of Returning Citizens in Government-Managed Post-Release Programming by Zachary D. Weaver MA, Clark Atlanta University, 2009 BS, Rust College, 2006 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy and Administration Walden University April 2015 Abstract Nearly 700,000 prisoners return to communities annually, and approximately two-thirds are rearrested within 3 years of release. The cyclic pattern of recidivism presents risks to both returning offenders and the communities that accept them. Reentry research tends to include the voice and experiences of juveniles, community members, and service providers, and narrowly focuses on the socioeconomic conditions of adult ex-offenderNearly 700,000 prisoners return to communities annually, and approximately two-thirds are rearrested within 3 years of release. The cyclic pattern of recidivism presents risks to both returning offenders and the communities that accept them. Reentry research tends to include the voice and experiences of juveniles, community members, and service providers, and narrowly focuses on the socioeconomic conditions of adult ex-offender populations preand post-release. Few researchers have explored the attitudes of those returning citizens or the perceived impact on treatment success, as related to employment-based, post-release reintegration programs. This study investigated the attitudes of 32 participants of Project Empowerment, the District of Columbia’s postrelease program. The ecology of public administration theory and empowerment theory provided the theoretical frameworks for understanding offender reentry within employment-based programming. Interview data were coded and analyzed consistent with a modified van Kaam method. A key finding indicates job-readiness training completion is largely contingent upon development of positive attitudes from both public administrators and participants. Additionally, participants were cognizant of the attitudes of community members regarding reentry and employment, and were more likely to see program participation as beneficial if perceived community support was high. The implications for positive social change include recommendations for reentry programs, such as Project Empowerment, to create an empowerment environment conducive to attitude development concerning self and society. Such an environment creates trust and opportunities for successful engagement in employment programs and decreases the risk of recidivism among communities that support individuals returning from incarceration. Attitudes of Returning Citizens in Government-Managed Post-Release Programming by Zachary D. Weaver MA, Clark Atlanta University, 2009 BS, Rust College, 2006 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy and Administration Walden University April 2015 Dedication In loving memory of my mother, Tempia Weaver, and grandmother, Mary Lanier Weaver. Acknowledgments Suddenly, it hit me; attitude had everything to do with my journey in this life. Knowing this has allowed me to understand the most tragic of circumstances. Recidivism in so many cases is a cyclic event, the result of which can be perpetual imprisonment, due in part to an individual not coming to terms with the charges weighed against his or her very nature. The new classification of ex-offender yields perpetual unease as a consequence. Returning citizens view this experience as unjust, and as such there is an unwillingness to accept government-proscribed treatments. They stand in defiance of this mark and refuse to participate fully in any intervention associated with this classification. Continuously, the marks of rebellion are upon them; thus they are never alone. Returning citizens cannot be viewed as a blatant criminal; to the contrary, they merely seeks to return to the freedom one has long forgotten and in truth never entirely has known in this human experience. Returning citizens, desire not to be associated with any identification of deviance, for this classification is not within their worldview. One has limited consciousness and cannot allow true-self to gain absolute liberation from the vibration that imprisons them. To this end, one now becomes the conduit for one’s cyclic life event, which results in the very certain detention of one’s entire being. In dedication to those who exist in this perpetual state, I’ve gained great awareness and compassion as a result of the many observations of regrettable unintended sacrifice. Special thanks to the Ever-Present Source of “All Things”; I’ve only come to this point as a result of your divine guidance. My beloved brother, Ashley D. Weaver, your journey in this human experience and unyielding faith in me, has been among my strongest motivations to complete this work. Little brother, you are deeply loved, admired, and respected. My treasured godparents, Rosalyn and Francis Priester, both of you have encouraged me to see the world from the heart of Source; you inspire me to overstand and walk in a higher consciousness. To my countless mentors, your unwavering commitment to me over the years has truly empowered and propelled me towards a hopeful future, filled with endless possibly. The absolute truth is that all of you truly made a difference in my life experience, and for that I am most grateful and thankful. Namaste (I bow to the divine in you).