Your Redemption Was Not Free, It Cost You Your Freedom: Impacts of African American Rehabilitation, Through a Holistic Approach Using Culturally Progressive Practices

Date of Award

5-1-2025

Degree Name

Ed.D. in Leadership for Organizations

Department

School of Education and Health Sciences

Advisor/Chair

Elizabeth Essex

Abstract

Black youth in the United States are incarcerated at disproportionately high rates due to systemic inequities and biases within the justice system. Research highlights how these disparities lead to harsher outcomes for Black youth compared to their white counterparts, further perpetuated by the school-to-prison pipeline. Addressing this issue requires approaches that are both rehabilitative and culturally relevant. The Justice Center (pseudonym), founded over thirty years ago in New Orleans, was established to mentor at-risk youth and support families. Initially a street-level outreach program, it has evolved into a comprehensive intervention model under the leadership of the founder and his wife, who now serves as CEO. The organization’s curriculum focuses on decision-making skills, emotional resilience, and culturally progressive practices to help youth navigate life’s challenges. This approach has proven effective, with 82 percent of participating youth avoiding further involvement in the justice system. This research aims to identify the most impactful elements of The Justice Center's curriculum and develop a framework for sharing these strategies with other organizations. Using qualitative methods, the study will gather insights to support the broader adoption of successful rehabilitation practices, ultimately contributing to reducing juvenile incarceration rates.

Keywords

Behavioral Sciences, Behaviorial Sciences, Social Psychology, Social Research, Social Work

Rights Statement

Copyright 2025, author.

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS