A Mixed-Methods Investigation of Recidivism among Ex-offenders in Missouri

Abstract

Ex-offenders return home to family and friends every day in the United States of America; seeking to reintegrate with family and society. Ex-offenders recidivate as well due to numerous reasons and fail at reintegration with family and society. The purpose of the investigation was to learn if substance abuse treatment and obtaining an education in the form of a General Equivalency Diploma (GED) would help the ex-offender avoid further recidivating The investigator was also interested in learning if trust played a vital role in gaining a GED and completion of substance abuse treatment with reintegration of the family for the ex-offender. Additionally, the investigator was interested in learning what role trust played with the ex-offender’s family members as participants in the reintegration with family. The investigator utilized a mixed-methods research approach to investigate the research question and hypotheses statements. Additionally, the investigator used Likert Scale surveys and research questions as well as interviews of family members to procure the necessary data to study and analyze. The investigator found ex-offenders felt a higher level of esteem through trust of obtaining a GED and completing substance abuse treatment. Family member’s levels of trust were lower concerning the ex-offender completion of substance abuse treatment and obtaining a GED. The investigator found both groups held serious concerns about ex-offender felony records to be a major concern and felt higher anxiety about the ex-offender’s viability due to the felony record and reintegration into the family. The investigator found for the ex-offender to be viable in society and able to reintegrate into the family more training was needed in the form of parenting classes, anger management, job readiness. Providing the aforementioned classes during substance abuse treatment would help the ex-offender in the reintegration process.