AN EXPLORATION OF BARRIERS TO OFFENDER REINTEGRATION: PROBATION AND PRISON OFFICER OPINIONS VS PUBLIC OPINION

Abstract

Stigmatization has been a major hindrance to successful reintegration of released offenders into the community primarily due to increased ostracism and anxiety of the wider community relative to recidivism and public security. In addition, the fear of reoffending has been extended to offender employability, housing, and resumption to learning institutions, as well as reconnecting with the community for personal and social growth. Consequently, probation and prison officers initiate different programs geared towards social reintegration to facilitate apposite transitioning of released offenders back to the community. This study, therefore, evaluated the position of the general public and probation and prison officers in driving successful reintegration of offenders by assessing their opinions and perceptions towards social reintegration to isolate barriers to successful social reintegration while reducing recidivism. A mixed-methods research guided by a pragmatist epistemological and ontological paradigm was conducted. In the process, a desktop search was carried out on online data repositories and journal databases to gather secondary quantitative and qualitative data, which was subjected to a systematic review. Following descriptive analysis on secondary quantitative data, and thematic analysis on secondary qualitative data, it was established that probation and prison officers opined the need to blend social reintegration programs with community initiatives, especially those that support offender employment and reemployment. Importantly, it was established that stigma is amplified by the potential of the higher number of released offenders to recidivate negatively affecting public safety and security.