Making It in the Free World: Strategies for Successful Re-entry

[The Academy of Finland Funded Project]

The proposed research is an extension of my work on defining the prison experience. The project is not to dwell on failure in re-entry; rather, it is intended to understand why some convicts are successful in their reintegration into society. Building off my recent dissertation work Gentle Justice: Analysis of Open Prison Systems in Finland: A Way to the Future? (Ekunwe:2007), I will examine the process by which former convicts have reshaped their identity from prison to the free world, and overcame the many obstacles that faced them as they attempted to reclaim their lives. Specifically, this study examines: (1) how ex-convicts define the problems associated with re-entry; (2) what strategies ex-convicts develop to address these problems; (3) how new concepts of the self were developed to assist in the re-entry process; and (4) what brought about these transformations or turning points that are being utilized in the re-entry process.

Coupled with interviews of ex-convicts, I will employ a qualitative approach, informed by the perspective of Convict Criminology (Ross and Richards, 2002). At least 20 ex-convicts from various regions in Finland will be interviewed. Candidates will be selected initially through personal contacts with ex-convicts. Following this, a snow-ball sample will be used based on referral by ex-convicts as well as service providers. The key is to develop a sample that represents the diversity of ex-convicts so that we can discover the variety of techniques and strategies that are employed in the successful re-entry process.

To summarize, the research is a comparative study of re-entry styles utilized by parolees and ex-convicts. The purpose is to examine how ex-convicts define problems like the issues of poverty, inequality, law-enforcement mentality of ex-convicts, and loss of rights and stigma, and develop strategies to address these problems. My ultimate goal is to change the public discourse on offender re-entry from one that currently focuses on failure and recidivism to one that emphasizes the successful re-entry of offenders into the community. Also with the aim of realising a book that can be used by convicts, parolees, family members and friends of convicts, policy makers and academics, as well as service providers and correctional workers that provides a better understanding of post-prison success.

Data collection, transcribing of interviews, analysis of data and the final work should take approximately 3 years.

I will also embark internationally on comparative analytical studies by comparing and analysing the data on US, gathered in Marquette University in Milwaukee with my data on Finland, two countries that have starkly different criminal justice philosophies.