Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Document Type
Thesis
School
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
Department
Justice Studies Program
Date of Original Version
March 2023
Abstract
As justice-involved individuals are released from incarceration, are the reentry guides provided by correctional facilities comprehensive to their intended audience? Are they inclusive of information needed to reintegrate into their communities successfully? This study aims to determine the content and readability of the reentry guides available upon release from US prisons. Deedose is used for content analysis, and readability is determined using the Flesch Kincaid Readability Scale and the Flesch Kincaid Grade Level. Sixteen unique guides from sixteen states were retrieved from Department of Corrections websites, email requests, or FOIA submittals. Readability levels average thirteen (college level) on the Flesch Kincaid Scale Grade Level. The guides shared common content such as money, employment, and education, while content on record expungement, behavioral changes, and victim services were limited. The guides in the sample are all above the reading level of the intended audience and focus more on addressing immediate needs than helping to make overall behavioral and lifestyle changes to prevent recidivism.
Recommended Citation
Groff, Melinda M., "Building Blocks of Reintegration: Practical reentry guides as support for justice-involved individuals' reintegration into communities." (2023). Master's Theses, Dissertations, Graduate Research and Major Papers Overview. 456.
https://digitalcommons.ric.edu/etd/456