Voices from a Reentry Program: A Qualitative Assessment of the Men's Reentry Initiative

• In Event: Gender and Experiences of Incarceration and Reentry

Abstract

Given that approximately 95% of inmates will eventually be released from jails and prisons (Hughes & Wilson, 2003), reentry programs are a growing area of study for criminology researchers and practitioners. The Men’s Reentry Initiative (MRI) located in South Carolina is a grassroots single-person run program that has never been fully assessed for effectiveness. Our overall assessment utilized a mixed methods approach to understanding the risks and needs of men being released from South Carolina correctional institutions. The purpose of the project was to discern the success of MRI in preparing men for life on the outside and reducing their likelihood of recidivism. As a supplement to the quantitative assessment using official criminal records, the qualitative section of the study used semi-structured interviews to gather data on how the men felt about various aspects of the MRI program. This portion of the qualitative assessment focuses on participants’ overall perception of the program. Specifically, we were interested in challenges they faced within the program, their willingness to recommend the program to others, and ways in which the Men’s Reentry Initiative can be improved moving forward.

Authors

• Toniqua Mikell, University of South Carolina

• Tia Stevens Andersen, University of South Carolina

• Deena Isom Scott, University of South Carolina