Female offenders’ recidivism has received little attention from researchers and officials, but this is a significant issue as the number of this population is growing. Former inmates tend to participate in various programs aimed at assisting them to reintegrate, but the parole/probation experiences can often undermine the positive impact of the programs mentioned above. It has been acknowledged that the negative attitude of parole/probation officers, as well as their indifference and insufficient professionalism, enhances female offenders’ depression, despair, and so on that often lead to females’ decision to engage in the criminal activity.
The problem to be researched is the impact the improper behavior of probation/parole officers has on female offenders’ recidivism. Probation/parole programs have been used for decades, and significant funds have been allocated in this area. However, several studies show that the effectiveness of these corrective measures is rather doubtful. Therefore, it is essential to implement thorough research to understand the way the programs can be improved. These improvements can potentially reduce the rate of female offenders’ recidivism, which, in turn, will have a positive impact on the development of communities and the entire society.
The major effect of the improper behavior of parole/probation officers is closely related to the psychological state (motivation (and even commitment) to reintegrate) of female offenders. Parole/probation officers often use ineffective leadership styles, reveal their negative attitude, mistrust, and misbelief, which enhances former inmates’ fears concerning their inability to reintegrate effectively. It is possible to implement some changes in this area and try to make parole/probation officers use a more integrative approach through involving (or, at least, discussing) female offenders’ close ones and neighborhoods they live in.
Achievability
It is necessary to note that certain barriers can hinder the achievability of my study. The research will be characterized by the qualitative research design as people’s attitudes rather than trends are central to the proposed study. In this regard, some barriers can be considered. On the one hand, parole/probation officers may try to conceal their true attitudes and practices. They may claim that they use the most effective leadership styles, are supportive and cooperative. On the other hand, female offenders may also exaggerate the effects of parole/officers’ behavior or even lie about it claiming that the officers’ attitudes are negative even if it is not true. Former inmates may try to blame for their actions on someone else (parole/probation officers, in this case). These barriers may undermine the study’s validity, and reliability as the data collected may be distorted. In simple terms, invalid data will become the basis of the study.
At the same time, the cooperation of other law enforcement professionals may be ineffective. Many people are unwilling to implement any changes so any intrusion in probation/parole procedures may be viewed negatively. This situation may affect such processes as data collection and results reporting as people may try to limit access to data, compromise the validity of the research, and criticize the study heavily. The validity of the research can be undermined due to actions and evaluations of people reluctant to implement the change.
In conclusion, it is possible to note that the proposed study will contribute to the knowledge base concerning female offenders’ recidivism. It may also reduce the number of women reentering prisons and jails. However, it is essential to address the barriers that are likely to occur to ensure the reliability and validity of the research.