The Experiences of Students in the Jail Ministry_Baker_Dobmeier

The Experiences of Students in the Jail Ministry A Claire Baker Introduction • A person can have implicit biases which influence the person’s opinions of and behavior towards different people groups without the individual’s realization (Lucas et al., 2019) • The awareness of differences between people of different social identities can help people make quick decisions about socially-relevant issues, but that natural bias also can quickly morph into negative prejudices (Tobena et al., 1999) • Negative prejudices can be curbed as positive, nonthreatening interactions between the individual and the population in question increases (Czopp et al., 2006) Method • Participants were 14 Cedarville University Students over the age of 18 • Each participant was a regular member of the Jail Ministry for Clark County Jail and Greene County Jail • Interviews were recorded and transcribed • Data was analyzed through a phenomenological approach Several themes were broached during the analysis of transcripts Hannah Dobmeier Hannah Sauer Felisha Younkin PhD Michael Firmin PhD Results We identified three main themes: 1) Change in Perception of Inmates • Most participants acknowledged that they had somewhat negative views of inmates before participating in the jail ministry These participants indicated that they initially expected inmates to be “drug addicts,” “conmen,” “bums,” “violent,” and “cold,” among other negative attributes • After interacting with inmates, participants overwhelmingly described inmates as normal people who have made some mistakes that have dire consequences “…and you go in there thinking that they’re somehow worse of a person than you but they’re not So I feel like the difference is that they’ve been publicly outed for the same sins that someone else could struggle with in secret I feel like anyone’s only a bad choice or two away from being in the same place.” 2) Unfair features of the Justice System • The most prominent issue brought up by participants regarding the justice system was the excessive length of time it takes for courts to set a date for trial • Another recognized issue was that inmates who were finally let out of jail can be left homeless and jobless after being in jail for an excessive amount of time “So when you take into account the guy who’s been in there for two years – you lose your house, you lose your car, you lose your job If you get out and you’re innocent, good luck You’ve lost everything.” Results Continued 3) Unmet Needs • Inmates’ main needs that participants highlighted during interviews include: psychiatric care, proper access to medicine, therapy, drug rehabilitation, speedy trials, improved quality of food, and ultimately, Christ “So many inmates I’ve talked to say their problems aren’t taken seriously, or they get denied certain medications…jails should be held to a higher standard than what I’ve heard from inmates.” Conclusion and Recommendations • Student participants in the Jail Ministry spoke about developments in perception of inmates as interactions with the population increased • Participants recognized and discussed the parts of the justice system that seem unfair to inmates In addition to the discontent with the efficiency and fairness of certain aspects of the justice system, participants identified inmates’ needs that could be better met by the jails • Future research could focus on deputies’ perception of inmates and their experiences from the point of view of an authority figure Deputies could provide valuable insight into their own beliefs about inmates, observations about the justice system, and can even shed light on the needs of people involved in the jails, both officials and inmates alike