Graduation Year
2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree
M.A.
Degree Name
Master of Arts (M.A.)
Degree Granting Department
Sociology
Major Professor
Beatriz Padilla, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Jennifer Friedman, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Frank Biafora, Ph.D.
Keywords
Criminal Justice System, Race, Re-entry Program, Recidivism, Second Chance
Abstract
Recidivism has been linked to a lack of education opportunities, heightened surveillance, a lack of housing stability, and limited access to resources for assistance. Because Black and Brown communities are facing mass incarceration, there is a growing concern about recidivism, as they are affected by several factors that may make them more likely to re-offend upon release. These include a lack of mental health outreach, their socioeconomic status, environmental influences, and the challenges they face regarding their masculinity and role in fatherhood. To both reduce recidivism and provide a solution to the obstacles presented above, the literature suggests providing re-entry services while second-chance citizens are still incarcerated. Advocates of reentry programs have argued that they provide several tools such as vocational training, and life skill readiness that are crucial for successful reintegration back into society.
This thesis seeks to highlight the effort of Tampa Bay Academy of Hope in reducing recidivism by specifically providing outreach to Black and Brown second-chance citizens in the form of job opportunities, training certifications, and life skills classes, even if obstacles persist. Using an inductive and qualitative approach for my thesis, six key informants and three participants were interviewed for this research. The foundation of this research draws on the Symbolic Interaction theory, the in-depth analysis of narratives provided by both the participants and key informants, and my own experience while employed at the organization as a case manager. In addition to assisting these men with reintegration back into society, Tampa Bay Academy of Hope provided them with the hope that they are more than the labels society has placed on them.
This thesis documents the significance of the work the organization has done, while also identifying some improvements that could be done to better support second chance citizens, namely offer treatment focused on substance abuse and mental health.
Scholar Commons Citation
Straughter, Bobbie, "“A Second chance citizen reintegration Program through the lenses of Black and Brown Participants and Case Managers.”" (2024). USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/10588
