A Qualitative Examination of Higher Education's Transformative Impact on Incarcerated Students

Streaming Media

Date of Award

Spring 2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership (EdD)

Committee Chair

Shantelle Jenkins

Committee Member

Chenelle Jones

Committee Member

Jennifer Harris

Abstract

The United States of America currently holds the largest prison population in the world, making the expansion of successful reentry programs crucial for individuals returning to society after incarceration. Correctional education programs, including higher education, have been widely recognized for their role in offender rehabilitation, reducing recidivism rates, and improving post-release employability. While these programs have focused on enhancing the employment prospects and recidivism rates of returning citizens, there has been relatively little scholarship exploring the potential transformative impact of higher education on incarcerated students academically, socially, and personally. This research investigated the transformative effects of higher education on incarcerated students by examining their perceptions of how college has changed them. Employing a phenomenological qualitative design, the study amplified the voices of incarcerated students. As an educator in higher education within the prison system, the researcher observed that the sequestered and oppressive nature of the prison environment presents unique opportunities for learning and transformation among incarcerated students. The research provided firsthand accounts of incarcerated students' experiences in higher education. The study revealed that despite numerous challenges and barriers, incarcerated college students demonstrate resilience, perseverance, and the ability to overcome obstacles with the support of teachers, the college, and their peers. The findings shed light on the multi-dimensional nature of their journey towards higher education, capturing both positive and negative aspects of their experiences. These insights, derived from the lived experiences of participants, have the potential to significantly shape the future of prison education programs and influence policy decisions. They underscore the role of education in personal transformation and societal reintegration, contributing to efforts to reduce recidivism. Based on the study's outcomes, recommendations for future research are provided, addressing the need to improve the higher education experience for incarcerated college students and bridging the existing gap in understanding incarcerated students' perspectives. These recommendations aim to enhance the impact and effectiveness of prison education programs, further supporting the goal of successful reentry and rehabilitation.

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