PhD Oral Exam - Ashley Shauntae Montgomery, Education

When studying for a doctoral degree (PhD), candidates submit a thesis that provides a critical review of the current state of knowledge of the thesis subject as well as the student’s own contributions to the subject. The distinguishing criterion of doctoral graduate research is a significant and original contribution to knowledge.

Once accepted, the candidate presents the thesis orally. This oral exam is open to the public.

Abstract

The state of Georgia has notable rates of incarceration and probation combined, with a rate of 968 per 100,000 people. With 340,000 Georgia residents on probation, the state has systems of confinement within and outside of prison that compare internationally. This Bible Belt state holds a reputation of having the harshest mass punishment laws when it comes to systems of confinement, lead post-offending individuals to pathways back into incarceration. Various research and evaluation studies demonstrate what works when reintegrating groups from prison to community, but there is limited understanding of how reentry programming and its interventions are working and to what degree, beyond quantified success. This study explores the direct experiences of program stakeholders in four facility sites at SafeHouse Ministries, a reentry program in Columbus, Georgia. Using qualitative evaluation methods to ascertain program fidelity at each of SafeHouse Ministries’ reentry sites, I explore what program recipients and staff members at the ministry believe affect their environment of a successful transition. Findings implicate the need for additional training in staff members, as well as organizational and inter-organizational dialogue with diverse community member groups that allow for individual-based resource provision and community investment. The data suggests links between paraprofessional staff members’ histories in substance misuse and program participants’ feelings of trust, identity, and safety.