Theses and Dissertations
Date of Award
2020
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Abraham S. Fischler College of Education
Advisor
Steven A. Hecht
Committee Member
Marcelo Castro
Committee Member
Ronald J. Chenail
Keywords
correctional education, incarcerated student, postsecondary education
Abstract
The United States is currently housing 2,220,300 inmates. At least 90% of these inmates will eventually be released and expected to successfully reintegrate into society. While it is in the nation’s best interest that these individuals are prepared to become contributing members of society, the academic experiences of those in prison, regardless of their sentence, is important. The success of educational correction has been traditionally measured by the reduction in recidivism and by the increased likelihood of successful reintegration. However, we know little about what makes these programs successful to participants, as there is a gap in the literature regarding their satisfaction with postsecondary education programs while incarcerated. This dissertation focuses on understanding the perspectives and experiences of previously incarcerated students through information gathered from paroled individuals who engaged in postsecondary correctional education. Specifically, it explores the availability of postsecondary education, their access to class materials, as well as the roadblocks they faced. Participants were previously housed in one of the seven correctional facilities in Rhode Island.
NSUWorks Citation
Ana C. Maria. 2020. Perspectives on Postsecondary Correctional Education from the Previously Incarcerated Student: An Explanatory Sequential Mixed Methods Design Study. Doctoral dissertation. Nova Southeastern University. Retrieved from NSUWorks, Abraham S. Fischler College of Education. (289)
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/fse_etd/289.