4-2 Final Project Milestone Two Introduction and Analysis PDF

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4-2 Final Project Milestone Two Introduction and Analysis...

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Introduction Focus “The Financial Cost of a Criminal Conviction: Context and Consequences” by Breanne Pleggenkuhle, is a research that was conducted to evaluate the legal financial obligations (LFOs) placed on post-conviction individuals. The author utilizes research that was conducted over the past several decades identifying hidden cost of felony convictions. “The growth in legal financial obligations (LFOs), such as fees, fines, and restitution resultant from conviction has important implications for offender reentry, particularly offender reintegration and opportunities for social advancement,” (Pleggenkuhle, 2017). LFO’s create a financial burden on individuals who already have a challenge with obtaining employment and housing they can afford, therefore, increasing the recidivism rate of these individuals. Population For this study, the population was sanctioned offenders under correctional supervision within the state of Missouri. The sample size consisted of 131 offenders with a felony conviction, either on parole, probation, or currently incarcerated. Of those 131 offenders were convicted of various crimes including sex offenses, property crimes, and drug related crimes. One third of those individuals were non-white, average age of 38 years old, spent an average of 5.5 years in prison, and about sixty percent of them had a high school diploma. Research Questions The two research questions identified in this study were “What is the scope and totality of LFOs for a sample of ex-offenders in a Midwest state?” and “How do LFOs impact structural, social, and emotional experiences post-conviction?” Research question 1 focused on analysis of

the individuals used in this study. This question was important because the analysis showed the total of LFO that was accrued by an individual along with their weekly or monthly payment cost. Research question 2 focused more on the social and emotional aspect of the study. “Many broad themes emerged from early coding processes, and the current research explores the key core ideas of “structural barriers” and “social consequences,” (Pleggenkuhle, 2017). These “themes” showed how LFOs can have an effect on social identity, relationships, and poverty. LFOs affect many parts of an individual’s life, “emotional and social responses are not only partially a result of economic stability but also attribute to LFOs in themselves; collectively, LFOs seem to effect many complex dimensions,” (Pleggenkuhle, 2017). Analysis Research Methods This study had no hypothesis to be proven or disproven, for this reason there is no pvalue. The method for this study was conducted in Missouri, since Missouri applies both sentencing and post-conviction costs. Data from this research came from interviews with male offenders (N=131) over an eight month period. Numerical data was collected from these interviews, which were coded and compiled into a database. That data was collected and provided a comprehensive overview of Research Question 1 “What is the scope and totality of LFOs for a sample of ex-offenders in a Midwest state?” The numerical data collected was broken down in to several categories, to include Sentencing Costs (court, restitution, lawyer fees, etc…), Post-Conviction costs (intervention fee, polygraph, classes, etc…), and Overall Obligations (child support). The data collected for each

category showed Assessed Cost (percentage), Dollar Amount, Median, Range, and Current (percentage). Interview transcripts were imported in to software for qualitative analysis and examined. That data was collected and used for Research Question 2 “How do LFOs impact structural, social, and emotional experiences post-conviction?” The data collected from the software analysis was broken down in to two categories “Structural Barriers” and “Social Changes.” Those categories were then broken down in to subcategories, Continuing Poverty (n=70), Missed Opportunities (n=82), Negative Emotive State (n=51), Independence (n=37) and Identity Change (n=15). Outcomes The research for question 1 showed that the results had a high variation among its participants. Most of the participant’s legal financial obligation ranged from $10.00 to $20,000, but the average amount assessed was $997.28. The research data collected for question 2 identified a variety of economic, social, and identity consequences resulting from LFOs. Due to this, ex-offenders had further difficulties trying to re-establish themselves in to society. Conclusions The researchers concluded that LFOs have an impact on ex-offenders post-conviction, not only financially but also socially and emotionally. This impact on ex-offenders makes what is already a difficult task with integrating back in to society, compounded by the LFOs. The research provided statistical significance to support their conclusion. The sample size used in this study was small and the location was adequate. The researchers in this study were able to collect a large amount of data and break it down in to various categories to support their conclusion.

References Pleggenkuhle, B. (2017, September 27). The Financial Cost of a Criminal Conviction: Context and Consequences. Sage Journals. The Financial Cost of a Criminal Conviction: Context and Consequences - Breanne Pleggenkuhle, 2018 (snhu.edu)...