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Abstract
For the past several decades, mass incarceration and high recidivism rates have fiscally plagued legislatures and policy makers. Offenders are released from prison back into their communities required to find employment, pay court-ordered fines, find housing, attend court-ordered substance abuse classes, remain law abiding and report to their probation officers, however, many recidivate. The rationale for this study and the gaps in the literature were evident since most all offender reentry research was procured through quantitative research. Furthermore, quantitative research on offender reentry provides indicators of recidivism; however, it lacks the rich data that was secured through this qualitative methodology after conducting semi-structured interviews with experts in the field that have previously worked with offenders. The sample for this study consisted of seven retired probation officers from the Mid-Atlantic region with one to three decades or more of experience. Semi-structured interviews were completed with each research participant. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Transcribed interviews produced clusters of words throughout the data analysis process, which then produced five themes for this study: counselor/case manager vs. law enforcement officer, housing, employment, support and substance abuse. The retired probation officers interviewed for this study provided in-depth and substantive responses to each interview question relevant to recommendations, protocols, and practices for future offender reentry services. Social support theory was used for overall guidance especially during data analysis. Conclusions are based upon the United States having the highest recidivism rate in the world, which commands an immediate change to the way the Department of Corrections office of Probation and Parole, probation officers, and service providers support offenders reentering society. This includes changes to the organization mission, culture, hours of operation, role approach and disposition of probation officers. Furthermore, offender reentry support includes employment programs, transitional housing, financial assistance, and quality substance abuse programs.
