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Dr. G. Michael Davis is a 2014 graduate of the Ph.D. Program in Leadership & Change at Antioch University

Above: Dr. Davis with his Dissertation Committee at his Dissertation Defense, July 29, 2014, Yellow Springs, Ohio

Left to Right: Carol Baron, PhD, Committee Member ; Edward Rhine, Ph.D. Committee Member; Dr. G. Michael Davis; Lize Booysen, DBL, Committee Chair.

Not Pictured : Morris Jenkins, Ph.D., External Reader

Keywords

mixed method, prisoners, re-entry, communities, leadership, criminal justice, crime, impact, restorative justice, complexity leadership theory, neighborhoods, prisons, families, ex-prisoners, policy, complex adaptive systems, Ohio

Document Type

Dissertation

Publication Date

2014

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore the way(s) in which the disproportionate return of ex-prisoners to socially and economically disadvantaged communities impact(s) specific community structural factors identified in the study. After three decades of withstanding the enduring effects of the mass incarceration, communities stand at the edge of a new era. Economic realities, and the failure of policies designed to deter crime through imprisonment are rapidly ushering in an era of mass prisoner reentry. The complexity of the challenges surrounding the successful integration of offenders to communities requires a new leadership paradigm for justice leaders. This study posits that communities are complex adaptive systems and examines the applicability of complexity leadership theory to the interactive impact of prisoner reentry. Existing academic literature is replete with research examining the ability of community institutions to ease the transition of citizens returning home from prison and contributing to their ability to achieve success within the community. Additional studies have identified the negative effects of mass incarceration on elements or structural factors often define the viability of a community. These include, but are not necessarily limited to: employment, crime, poverty, and family relationships. This study builds upon previous academic research in the area of prisoner reentry. It steps in a new direction that focuses on the impact the concentrated return of ex-prisoners exerts on elements that contribute to the collective efficacy of neighborhoods. In order to effectively examine the interactive or reciprocating impact of prisoner reentry, a mixed methodological approach using both qualitative and quantitative research, situated in a case study, is employed. The research design incorporates the constructed realities of those experiencing the interactive impact of reentry and provides a statistical analysis of the attitudes of a broad representation of the community examined in the case. The electronic version of this Dissertation is at Ohiolink ETD Center, http://etd.ohiolink.edu

Comments

Mike Davis, Ph.D was appointed to the position of Deputy Warden of Special Services at the Pickaway Correctional Institution (Orient, OH) in May 2013. Dr. Davis has the responsibility for direction of several departments within the institution which include: education, mental health, food service, recovery services and religious services. Mr. Davis started his career with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction in 1998 as a Victim Advocate in the Office of Victim Services. Throughout Mike’s career with the state government he has held positions such as Crime Prevention Coordinator, and Assistant Administrator for the Ohio Office of Victim Services. Before his assuming his current position he was the Deputy Communications Chief for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.

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