Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Educators’ Perspectives Regarding The Influence Of Prison Education Programs On Recidivism, Deana Payton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Several factors impact whether inmates are successful upon release. Lack of education and job skills are critical reasons for unsuccessful reintegration. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the perceptions and observations of prison educators regarding inmate participation and motivation in prison education programs. Cloward and Ohlin’s opportunity theory provided the framework for the study. Data were collected from semistructured interviews with eight prison educators. Results of axial coding and thematic analysis resulted in four themes: time commitment, access to programs, negative interaction, and incentives. Findings indicated that from the educator’s perspective, inmates who were motivated and …