Exploring the Employability of African-American Male Ex-Offenders in Local Government Chandra Latrelle Porter Walden University
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Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2017 Exploring the Employability of African-American Male Ex-Offenders in Local Government Chandra LaTrelle Porter Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Business Administration, Management, and Operations Commons, and the Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Management and Technology This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Chandra LaTrelle Porter has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Patricia Fusch, Committee Chairperson, Management Faculty Dr. Stephanie Hoon, Committee Member, Management Faculty Dr. Diane Stottlemyer, University Reviewer, Management Faculty Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D. Walden University 2017 Abstract Exploring the Employability of African-American Male Ex-Offenders in Local Government by Chandra LaTrelle Porter MS, Walden University, 2012 MS, Webster University, 2002 BBA, Georgia Southern University, 1997 BBA, Savannah State College, 1993 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Management Walden University March 2017 Abstract The public sector is the largest employer that requires a background check. When African-American male ex-offenders return to their communities, they are often unable to find work in local government because of their criminal record. The central research question for this phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of African- American male ex-offenders regarding their employability in the local government sector. Guided by Sampson and Laub’s life course perspective theory, a purposeful sample of 5 African-American male ex-offenders who applied for work or who currently work for local government entities in the state of Georgia was selected for this study. A three-interview approach was employed to include life history, details of experience, and reflection on the meaning of experiences. The Van Kaam method of analysis was used to analyze the interview data. Eleven central themes emerged that included the importance of employment, limited knowledge of employment, background and hiring process, stigma of a criminal record, lack of available resources, attitudes and biases of hiring managers, good support system, and limited opportunity for a second chance. It is recommended that local government agency officials use positions classified as “hard to fill” as training opportunities in an apprenticeship program to help ex-offenders learn new skills to help them secure employment. The findings and recommendations have implications for positive social change in local government agencies. Local government entities may modify organizational policy and practices including recruitment strategies that eliminate discrimination against African-American ex-offenders to help improve their quality of life and become contributing citizens within the community. Exploring the Employability of African-American Males Ex-Offenders in Local Government by Chandra LaTrelle Porter MS, Walden University, 2012 MA, Webster University, 2002 BBA, Georgia Southern University, 1997 BBA, Savannah State College, 1993 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Management Walden University March 2017 Dedication I dedicate this study in loving memory of my grandmothers, Doretha Harris Campbell and Myrtle Porter. These women instilled the importance of faith, prayer and hard work in me at a young age. Throughout the difficult times, these two women prayed for me more than I prayed for myself. Their encouragement, support, and unconditional love molded me into the woman I am today. Although they are not here with me in the natural, I know that they are with me in spirit. There are no words to express how much I miss you! I dedicate this study to the African-American men who participated in this study. Your lived experiences are invaluable. Thank you for sharing your experiences and helping me complete this journey! Acknowledgments First and foremost, all the praise, honor, glory, and thanks to the Almighty God! Thank You for seeing me to the end of this journey that began in 2013, knowing that there would be no turning back. Although there were times I felt like giving up; I know that This is my season for grace for favor; this is my season to reap what I have sown! Without Him, this journey would not be possible! A very special thanks to Dr. Patricia Fusch, for stepping up to serve as chair and methodologist in the final leg of this journey; your expertise, attention to detail and shared passion for this topic confirmed that the topic selected is worthy to be studied. I appreciate your guidance, support, encouragement, and invaluable feedback! Special thanks to Dr. Stephanie Hoon for stepping in at the ninth hour as second committee member. Thanks to Dr. Schuttler, Dr. Kolberg, Dr. John Nirenburg and Dr. Stottlemyer for their support during this process. Thanks to Dr. Marilys Taylor and Dr. Gina Smith for their words of encouragement, wisdom, and support as the idea for this topic came to fruition in classes during the master’s program. Your feedback is invaluable! Finally, thanks to my support system CC, Terry, Donna, Dr. Best, and my LS’s Twana, Melissa, Curdedra & Meredith of F.L.I.G.H.T. 60: Destination DST, Savannah Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, for their words of encouragement and support on this journey! Table of Contents List of Figures .................................................................................................................. viii Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ....................................................................................1 Background of the Study ...............................................................................................2 Problem Statement .........................................................................................................6 Purpose of the Study ......................................................................................................7 Research Questions ........................................................................................................8 Theoretical Foundation ..................................................................................................8 Nature of the Study ......................................................................................................13 Qualitative Research Method ................................................................................ 14 Research Design.................................................................................................... 16 Definitions....................................................................................................................19 Assumptions .................................................................................................................20 Scope and Delimitations ..............................................................................................21 Limitations ...................................................................................................................22 Significance of the Study .............................................................................................23 Significance to Practice......................................................................................... 25 Significance to Theory .......................................................................................... 26 Significance to Social Change .............................................................................. 26 Summary and Transition ..............................................................................................27 Chapter 2: Literature Review .............................................................................................29 Literature Search Strategy............................................................................................30 i Theoretical Foundation ................................................................................................31 Literature Review.........................................................................................................34 Mass Incarceration ................................................................................................ 34 Admissions, Releases, and Workforce in Georgia................................................ 38 Geographic Concentration and Residential Mobility ........................................... 42 Internal and Societal Employment Barriers and Challenges ................................ 45 Components of Employability .............................................................................. 56 Impact of the Criminal Record on Employability ................................................. 58 Permissive Discrimination ...................................................................................