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Date of Award

5-2025

Document Type

Restricted Thesis: Campus only access

Degree Name

Master of Social Work

Department

School of Social Work

First Reader/Committee Chair

Lim, Caroline

Abstract

Background: Mass incarceration is a growing crisis in the United States, with the nation maintaining one of the highest incarceration rates in the world. This deeply rooted social issue disproportionately affects marginalized communities. Recidivism plays a pivotal role in sustaining mass incarceration, placing further strain on an already overcrowded prison system. The high rate of recidivism, where individuals re-offend and are reincarcerated, fuels a continuous cycle of arrests and imprisonment, further inflating the prison population. Objective: This research proposal aims to investigate the relationship between Expressed Emotions (EE) within family dynamics and the likelihood of recidivism among formerly incarcerated individuals. Methods: A mixed-methods approach will be utilized, involving quantitative data collection and qualitative interviews with a diverse sample of male adults aged 18 and older who have been released from the California Institution for Men (CIM) in San Bernardino County within the past three years. A non-probability snowball sampling method will be used to recruit this hard-to-reach population. A target sample size of 200 participants will be invited to complete an in-person questionnaire. Descriptive analyses will be conducted to summarize participant demographics, while bivariate analysis, specifically using two samples independent t-test, will be employed to assess the association between EE within family dynamics and recidivism rates. Qualitative data analysis will involve transcription, coding, categorizing, and synthesizing data to identify overarching themes related to reintegration and recidivism. Conclusion: Findings from this proposed study can inform the development of targeted interventions to reduce recidivism rates and support formerly incarcerated individuals in their transition back into the community.

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