MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK (MSW) STUDENTS’ ATTITUDES TOWARDS

MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK (MSW) STUDENTS’ ATTITUDES TOWARDS INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS R O B E RT M . S E C U L A , A S W

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Professional Experience – Legal Assistant to Private Criminal Defense Law Firm Education – California State University, Fresno – Criminology: Forensic Behavioral Science, 2015 – Master’s of Social Work, 2018

WHY STUDY MSW STUDENTS ’ ATTITUDES How does this effect Human TOWARDS Services? PRISONERS? The imprisoned and formerly imprisoned along with their children become socially and economically disadvantaged – State/Social programs – Eligibility determination – Medical/Mental Health – Family System – Child Development

THE CHILDREN LIVES ARE INTERRUPT ED

THE RESEARCH

THE LITERATURE Important findings Race, Age, Gender, Political perspectives, Religion, Media, and Professional training Education, Experience, Socioeconomic class, and Location Predominantly Criminal justice articles

DECLINE IN SOCIAL WORK; RISE IN INCARCERATIO “Grandfather of NProbation” Creation of first juvenile courts Collateral system New era: Social/Political forces Decline in presence with a raise in imprisonment.

THE JUSTIFICATION FOR THE STUDY

MY QUESTIONS 1 2 3 What are graduate social work students’ attitudes towards incarcerated individuals? Do graduate social work students’ attitudes differ by their geographical location? What are some predictors of graduate social work students’ attitudes towards incarcerated

MSW STUDENTS ’ ATTITUDES TOWARDS INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS Quantitative- the more the better! Reached out to 15 California State University (CSU) Master of Social Work (MSW) programs similar to CSU Fresno – CSU Fresno, CSU Dominguez Hills, CSU Long Beach, CSU Bakersfield, and CSU Monterey Bay, CSU San Bernardino Instruments – Attitude toward Prisoners (ATP) instrument (Melvin and Garner 1985) – Demographic questionnaire – Experience/Education

W H AT A R E G R A D U AT E SOCIAL WORK S T U D E N T S ’ AT T I T U D E S TOWARDS I N C A R C E R AT E D INDIVIDUALS?

SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS ’ ATTITUDES TOWARDS INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS 6 CSU MSW PROGRAMS 105.62 26-to-144 Nursing 96 History students 95 Psychology students 90.5 Business students 85 Criminal Justice 82.2

D O G R A D U AT E S O C I A L WORK STUDENTS’ AT T I T U D E S D I F F E R BY THEIR GEOGRAPHICAL L O C AT I O N ?

Monterey bay 115 Dominguez Hills 110 Long Beach 106 CSU campuses and Mean attitudes towards Prisoners 120 Attitudes towards prisoners LOCATIO N 115 110 105 100 Bakersfield 105 San Bernardino 102 Fresno 99 95 90 CSU Fresno CSU Bakersfield CSU Dominguez CSU Monterey CSU Long Beach Hill Bay California State Universities CSU San Bernado

W H AT A R E S O M E P R E D I C T O R S O F G R A D U AT E S O C I A L W O R K S T U D E N T S ’ AT T I T U D E S T O WA R D S I N C A R C E R AT E D INDIVIDUALS?

SAMPLE COMPOSITION 245 total responses; N 202 177 females ( 87.6%) 24 males (11.9%) Ages 18-to-57 (M 25.25)

DEMOGRAPHIC QUESTIONNAIRE Significant Demographic Findings – Race – Socioeconomic status – Political affiliation – Education/Experience

Hispanic or Latino n 100(49.5%) ATP 104.76 Caucasian n 57 (28.2%) ATP 108.21 RACE African American n 20 (9.9%) ATP 112.50 Asian American n 14 (6.9%) ATP 101.86 Other n 10 (5%) ATP 92.36

Lower-class n 82 (40.6%) ATP 108.18 SOCIOECONOMIC Middle-class n 117 (57.9%) ATP 100.12 Upper-class n 3 (1.7%) ATP 94.33 SOCIOECONOMIC AT P

POLITICAL AFFILIATION Democrat (M 106.27, SD 17.328) Independent (M 103.62, SD 14.726) Republican (M 91.71, SD 21.861) Other (M 106.90, SD 14.622) Average (M 105.62, SD 16.820)

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE “My MSW program has educated me about incarceration/incarcerated individuals.” “I have previously taken courses related to incarcerated individuals.” “I have been incarcerated in jail or prison.” “I have friends or family who have been incarcerated in jail or prison.” Education Experience ATP

WHAT'S MISSING? ATP DE M OG RA U PH NK IC N S, O 14. W 4 N, 86. 6 UNKNOWN DEMOGRAPHICS

CONCLUSION Studies on ex-prisoners, parolees, and re-entry have indicated that negative attitudes towards ex-prisoners are one of the primary determinants for recidivism Education and ATP: Obligatory need to educate Ensure a commitment to social justice, empowerment, quality, effective, efficient, and unbiased services Individual level- one life Macro level- policy Education among para professionals is a good way to ensure a safety net for the child and facilitate a successful re-entry for the incarcerated parent.

THANK YOU C C A S S C A N D PA R T N E R S !

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QUESTIONS?