Assessing Program Needs, Interests, and Barriers: A Pilot Study in a Medium-Security Prison

Faculty Mentor

Dragana Derlic

Location

Skidaway Meeting Room

Type of Research

Completed

Session Format

Oral Presentation

College

College of Behavioral & Social Sciences

Department

Criminology and Criminal Justice

Abstract

While the goal of incarceration is accountability and public safety, it also offers a critical opportunity for rehabilitation and stability following reentry. This pilot study examines the programming needs, interests, and barriers experienced by people incarcerated at a medium-security, work release prison in the Southeastern United States. During the summer of 2025, a paper-based survey was administered to 150 residents at the facility, with 145 completing the survey. The instrument included demographic items, closed-ended questions assessing program access, interest, perceived importance, institutional/personal barriers to participation, and desired programming format. The study’s findings provide an in-depth view of how incarcerated individuals prioritize different program types and identify the specific obstacles that prevent them from using existing resources. An extensive amount of literature show the importance of prison programming on recidivism and successful reentry. The findings offer an outline for correctional administrators to design more accessible and effective programming that incarcerated people would find helpful.

Program Description

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Start Date

4-21-2026 10:00 AM

End Date

4-21-2026 10:15 AM

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Apr 21st, 10:00 AM Apr 21st, 10:15 AM

Assessing Program Needs, Interests, and Barriers: A Pilot Study in a Medium-Security Prison

Skidaway Meeting Room

While the goal of incarceration is accountability and public safety, it also offers a critical opportunity for rehabilitation and stability following reentry. This pilot study examines the programming needs, interests, and barriers experienced by people incarcerated at a medium-security, work release prison in the Southeastern United States. During the summer of 2025, a paper-based survey was administered to 150 residents at the facility, with 145 completing the survey. The instrument included demographic items, closed-ended questions assessing program access, interest, perceived importance, institutional/personal barriers to participation, and desired programming format. The study’s findings provide an in-depth view of how incarcerated individuals prioritize different program types and identify the specific obstacles that prevent them from using existing resources. An extensive amount of literature show the importance of prison programming on recidivism and successful reentry. The findings offer an outline for correctional administrators to design more accessible and effective programming that incarcerated people would find helpful.