Title

The Lived Experience of African American Juvenile Parole and Probation Officers in the Pacific Northwest

Author

Andre J. Lockett, Concordia University - PortlandFollow

Date of Award

4-1-2020

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctorate of Education, Ed.D.

College

College of Education

Department

Education

First Advisor

Marty Bullis, Ph.D.

Second Advisor

Derrick Tennial, Ed.D.

Third Advisor

Jerry McGuire, Ph.D.

Abstract

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore and better understand the lived experiences of African American juvenile parole and probation officers in the Pacific Northwest. I conducted semistructured interviews with four African American juvenile parole and probation officers using a transcendental phenomenological framework. This framework was further supported and guided by social identity theory, critical race theory, and person‒organization fit theory. Through detailed semistructured interviews, field notes, and artifacts; honest and thought-provoking insight was gathered about the experiences of African American juvenile parole and probation officers. Furthermore, interview data was coded and analyzed using ATLAS.ti (2020) and during the analysis process, three themes and six subthemes emerged, capturing the essence of the four coresearchers’ lived experiences. These three themes and subthemes uncovered the desire to better support youth and hold them accountable as essential motivating factors for African American juvenile parole and probation officer career choice. Additionally, experiences of unpredictable schedules, and navigating two social identities—African Americans and the juvenile justice system—were explored. African American juvenile parole and probation officers want cultural representation at the management level, experience discrimination, and want more support—for themselves and African American youth—through more equitable practices, better recruitment strategies, and inclusive work environments.

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