LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations Summer July 2015 Beyond Recidivism: Learning with Formerly Incarcerated Men About Youth Incarceration Scott Patrick Bastian Loyola Marymount University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/etd Part of the Education Commons, and the Education Policy Commons Recommended Citation Bastian, Scott Patrick, "Beyond Recidivism: Learning with Formerly Incarcerated Men About Youth Incarceration" (2015). LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations. 188. https://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/etd/188 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by Digital Commons @ Loyola Marymount University and Loyola Law School. It has been accepted for inclusion in LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons@Loyola Marymount University and Loyola Law School. For more information, please contact [email protected]. LOYOLA MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY Beyond Recidivism: Learning with Formerly Incarcerated Men About Youth Incarceration by Scott P. Bastian A dissertation presented to the Faculty of the School of Education, Loyola Marymount University, in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Education 2015 Beyond Recidivism: Learning with Formerly Incarcerated Men About Youth Incarceration Copyright © 2015 by Scott P. Bastian ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Without the early life lessons of remaining true to self, all the while acknowledging how my actions may affect others—this step likely would not have been taken. Without the careful attention paid to me and my adolescent missteps and recoveries—this door likely would not have been opened. Without my father teaching me how things work, and my mother teaching me to find out why some things don’t work— this journey likely would not have been imagined. Mom and Dad, you are and always have been my inspiration—for which I am ever so grateful. Thank you! My dear wife, Griselda, thank you for encouraging me throughout this journey, even though it was going to mean me staying up all night studying, while you stayed up all night nursing and tending to the children. And what a wonderful job you continue to do! You and the children are my constant source of motivation—I see praise in your eyes and carry that feeling wherever I go. Your genuine interest in my work serves as my confirmation and your continuous love and support revive me. Thank you, Love! My chair, Dr. Antonia Darder, you succeeded in helping me see myself in a more purposeful role—one that has begun to supplant my prior restlessness with a growing sense of consciousness. To my committee members—Dr. Rebecca Ginsburg and Dr. Rebecca Stephenson—thank you both so much for your interest in my project and your continued support! To my team of experts—JQ, B, David, and Clark—thank you all for your passionate contributions and honesty. My passion for this grows because of you all! I am ready to continue where we left off. Lift off! iii DEDICATION To my favorite sister Jenny, May you live eternally in the shadow of your own smile. Which is how I choose to live. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................ iii DEDICATION ................................................................................................................. iv ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................... viii CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION .................................................................................... 1 Background ............................................................................................................. 1 Statement of the Problem ........................................................................................ 2 Research Questions ................................................................................................. 5 Purpose of the Study ............................................................................................... 5 Significance ............................................................................................................. 6 Theoretical Framework ........................................................................................... 6 Research Design and Methodology ........................................................................ 7 Delimitations and Limitations ................................................................................ 8 Positionality ............................................................................................................ 9 CHAPTER 2: REVIEW OF LITERATURE ............................................................... 11 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 11 Protection of Incarcerated Youth .......................................................................... 14 Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act .................................... 15 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child ............................ 17 Common Disparities ............................................................................................. 20 Racialized Disparities ............................................................................... 20 Effects of Zero-Tolerance Policy .................................................. 21 Disparities Based on Mental Health ......................................................... 22 Disparities Based on Learning Ability ...................................................... 28 Outcomes for Incarcerated Youth ......................................................................... 30 Recidivism ................................................................................................ 30 Traditional Research on Recidivism ............................................. 31 Contemporary Research on Recidivism ........................................ 33 Early Death as an Outcome ....................................................................... 38 Countering Recidivism: Approaches and Models ................................................ 39 Mentoring as a Prevention Strategy .......................................................... 42 Discussion of Theoretical Frameworks ................................................................ 45 Critical Bicultural Pedagogy ..................................................................... 46 Critical Narrative Pedagogy ...................................................................... 49 CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY ................................................................................ 51 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 51 Research Questions ............................................................................................... 52 Methodology and Rationale .................................................................................. 52 Role of Researcher ................................................................................................ 55 v Participants ............................................................................................................ 55 Data Collection and Analysis ................................................................................ 57 CHAPTER 4: FINDINGS .............................................................................................. 59 Critical Narrative Summaries ............................................................................... 59 Participant One: JQ ............................................................................................... 59 Demographics ........................................................................................... 59 Pre-Incarceration Years ............................................................................ 59 Early Childhood ............................................................................ 59 Middle School ............................................................................... 61 High School .................................................................................. 63 Incarceration Years ................................................................................... 64 Initial Incarceration ....................................................................... 64 The Release ................................................................................... 72 Postrelease ................................................................................................. 73 Mentors ......................................................................................... 76 Critical Reflection ..................................................................................... 78 Critical Outlook: Looking Forward .......................................................... 84 Desired Audience and Purpose ................................................................. 86 Participant Two: B ................................................................................................ 86 Demographics ........................................................................................... 86 Pre-Incarceration Years ............................................................................ 87 Early Childhood ...........................................................................