How To Apply
Interested in participating in this research project? Contact the professor or graduate student listed below.
Professor
Robert L. Peralta, Associate Professor (Sociology) | rp32@uakron.edu
Project Description
The goal of this project is to document the perceptions and experiences with health, health care and interpersonal violence among female former prison inmates. Successful reentry of former inmates into society remains an important goal for community, healthcare, and criminal justice professionals. An important component of reintegration is assessing health, health care and interpersonal violence experiences among inmates during and after release from prison. Data on these factors (health, health care experience and violence exposure) is critical to inform public health and criminal justice decisions that impact inmates during imprisonment and after release. Health care and trauma experiences among female inmates in particular remains an especially under-examined area. This is problematic given women’s distinct health care needs and experiences with interpersonal violence. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with women who were recently released from prison following incarceration with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections. Interview and self-report data on health status, health care access and experiences with violence victimization during and after incarceration were collected. Interviews also covered current health behavior and the experience of reentry into the community in order to better understand paths and barriers to successful reentry. Participants were recruited from a Cleveland-based reentry organization of Cuyahoga County. All interviews were recorded, transcribed, and are being analyzed using qualitative software. Social learning, social control, and life course theories are used to frame and inform the study. Students will assist with analysis and writing (e.g., literature review, manuscript development, presentation development).
Project Dates
Spring 2020-Spring 2021
Search Terms
Sociology, Non-Credit, Non-Funded, Humanities & Social Sciences