Bringing up context: reconciling inmates' narratives and institutional rhetoric in prison policy

Abstract

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] This research evaluates narrative-style interviews conducted with thirty male inmates at a medium-security prison, the content in the instructor's manual of the mandatory cognitive self-change class in which the inmates participated and documents from the state Department of Corrections. This research seeks to assess and evaluate the nature and extent of the relationship between the stated goals, policies and programs included in class lesson plans, Department of Corrections documents and the voiced realities of the inmates as expressed in the interview setting. From these findings, the research aims to determine how the ideas, experiences and life stories of the inmates can contribute to the improvement of institutional policies aimed at reducing recidivism.