A look at opportunities within correctional facilities in preparation of ex-convicts attaining employment: A qualitative case study

ABSTRACT

In the United States, only fourteen percent of inmates participated in educational classes, and less than seven percent participated in vocational training as stated by Coop and Bales (2018). The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the perceptions of correctional staff about the vocational training programs Black or Brown ex-convicts may have received or had access to while incarcerated. Limited access to training might have contributed to fewer opportunities for employment upon release. The theories used to frame this study were the General Strain Theory, Self-Determination Theory, Social Control Theory, and Self-Determination Theory. This qualitative case study included one-on-one structured interviews with 15 open-ended questions conducted with ten Florida correctional officers in an online face-to-face platform. Braun and Clarke's (2006) six-step thematic analysis utilizing NVivo was used to analyze the interview transcripts' textual data. Three themes emerged from participants' responses Correctional officers believed improvement was needed for the employability training offered to the ex-convicts, correctional officers perceived there was a lack of motivation on the part of the convict to become employed, and correctional officers believed there were obstacles or limitations for inmates participating in programs. Participants suggested that there need to be efforts to promote the programs to inmates, address low-program enrollment rates, and improve programs to help inmates become successful in acquiring a job. Correctional officers believed the lack of motivation by inmates to participate in a program may have led to recidivism upon release and lowered the ex-convicts' chances of securing employment. This study would be important to correctional facility administration for designing and implementing inmate programs. Future research studies should include the perspective of ex-convicts and focus on how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted inmates and programs. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)