'Setting Down Roots'--Developing Formerly Incarcerated Student Programs through Advocacy and Network Building
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| Title: | 'Setting Down Roots'--Developing Formerly Incarcerated Student Programs through Advocacy and Network Building |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Nicole Contreras-García (ORCID |
| Source: | Community College Journal of Research and Practice. 2025 49(2):71-86. |
| Availability: | Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 16 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education Two Year Colleges |
| Descriptors: | Community Colleges, Community College Students, Criminals, Correctional Rehabilitation, Delinquent Rehabilitation, Delinquency, Access to Education, Social Integration, Program Development, Program Budgeting, Advocacy, College Faculty, Administrator Attitudes, Administrators, School Personnel, Teacher Attitudes, Cooperative Planning, Inclusion, College Environment, Student Personnel Services, Student Personnel Workers |
| Geographic Terms: | California |
| DOI: | 10.1080/10668926.2023.2256256 |
| ISSN: | 1066-8926 1521-0413 |
| Abstract: | This study examines formerly incarcerated student programming from practitioner perspectives at California community colleges. The following research questions guide the study: 1) How has the pandemic and concurrent sociopolitical contexts influence the way staff, faculty, and administrators approach their work? 2) How do practitioners describe their experiences supporting formerly incarcerated students? 3) How are challenges and opportunities toward sustaining their programs described? I used a basic qualitative approach to collect interview data with 15 staff, faculty, and administrators. Once data were transcribed, I engaged in open and axial coding to capture participants' words, which developed into categories and emergent themes. Faculty and staff expressed profound care for students and their programs and acted on this care by challenging deficit-perspectives and advocating for students' needs. Despite many programs' funding concerns, participants shared how they gain support for currently and formerly incarcerated students by developing webs of support toward a more inclusive campus environment. Findings reveal how practitioners respond to and meet students' personal and academic needs by allocating and sharing relevant resources like housing support and advising services. Staff often assume a case management role for students and advocate for their programs' needs such as funding and physical meeting spaces. Findings affirm the need for colleges to expand their support for formerly incarcerated students and develop intentional spaces toward empowerment and desistance. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2025 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1459362 |
| Database: | ERIC |
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