Introduction
The research under analysis is called The financial cost of a criminal conviction and is conducted by Breanne Pleggenkuhle. The study delves into the financial aspect and consequences of a conviction. Regarding the growing fiscal concerns of criminal justice, there is a shift in the attitude towards this aspect, meaning that there is a need for its in-depth investigation.
In this regard, the author discusses legal financial obligations (LFOs), such as fees, fines, and restitution usually associated with a conviction, and conclude about their effect on post-conviction experiences. The study tries to introduce additional scope to the discussed issue and examine the cumulative effect of LFOs (Pleggenkuhle, 2017). The given problem is relevant today and should be evaluated.
The purpose of the research presupposes the involvement of a specific population to collect credible data. For this reason, the researcher employs a sample of persons under correctional supervision to investigate the impact of LFOs and conclude about the existence of particular effects associated with them. Another characteristic of the selected population was the recent release from prison and correctional supervision.
In general, 131 offenders convicted of a felony were included in the given research (Pleggenkuhle, 2017). One-third of respondents were non-White, and the average age of all participants was 38 years (Pleggenkuhle, 2017).
The research rests on the following research questions formulated by the author:
- Research Question 1: What is the scope and totality of LFOs for a sample of ex-offenders in a Midwest state? (Pleggenkuhle, 2017)
- Research Question 2: How do LFOs impact structural, social, and emotional experiences post-conviction? (Pleggenkuhle, 2017)
The author does not suggest any hypothesis as the purpose of their research is to investigate the current state of the issue and find new data instead of proving some existing assumptions. The significance of these questions is justified by the importance of financial aspects of a criminal conviction and the need to use costs more effectively. For this reason, the research touches upon the relevant issue and can contribute to a better vision of the problem and its reconsideration to attain desired results.
Analysis
The nature of the study and formulated research questions preconditioned the choice of the research methodology by the author. Emphasizing the need to work with statistical and numerical data, the investigator though adheres to the qualitative approach as the most effective way to process information provided by participants and structure it to create the results section (Pleggenkuhle, 2017).
It also offers an opportunity to work with the targeted population and use purposive sampling to find individuals with the qualities needed for the analysis. Moreover, the qualitative paradigm helps to answer the questions formulated by the author and outline the major aspects associated with LFOs’ effect on structural, social, and emotional experiences (Pleggenkuhle, 2017).
The employment of the scheduled interview tool also helped to work with participants and gather information vital for the research. In such a way, having introduced two specific research questions, the author determined the use of the qualitative methodology as the best option to assess experiences and factors linked to the issue under investigation. For this reason, the utilized tools are sufficient and help to make credible conclusions.
The semi-structured interviews with close-ended questions were used to work with the participants and collect the needed material. Moreover, the author used the NVivo software to process transcripts, conduct their qualitative analysis, and create the database with coded results (Pleggenkuhle, 2017). The given approach helped to acquire specific outcomes vital for the study. Thus, the author states that most participants had some form of sentencing costs (Pleggenkuhle, 2017).
These included payment to the victim harm fund, court costs, and defense fees (Pleggenkuhle, 2017). Moreover, a significant legal debt was discovered during interviews. Numerous respondents stated that the given debt became more significant during incarceration because of the inability to make payments (Pleggenkuhle, 2017). The existence of such problems preconditioned the emergence of a variety of social, economic, and identity consequences associated with LFOs and reported by participants. It also impacts their lifestyles and the ability to succeed in the future (Pleggenkuhle, 2017).
In such a way, the findings acquired by the author prove the idea that LFOs can significantly affect the post-conviction experiences and precondition the emergence of multiple problems that should be given much attention. The significance of these findings is also proved by the reliable statistics provided by the researcher and the involvement of a large number of participants in the research.
Using the results acquired in the course of interviews and tests, the investigator formulates the conclusion. She states that the consequences of LFOs are correlated with numerous challenges of prisoner reentry (Pleggenkuhle, 2017). They produce negative outcomes and contribute to labeling in the future. Moreover, the results help to answer the research questions and show that there are still undocumented shits in cognition related to social roles, material and financial disadvantages (Pleggenkuhle, 2017).
Finally, LFOs complicate the transitional experiences of individuals and might contribute to the emergence of new challenges. Evaluating the given conclusions, it is possible to outline their high validity and relevance. All findings and assumptions made in the study are supported by numerical data acquired from persons with the desired experiences.
It means that the researcher has sufficient data to support her generalizations and avoid biases in the conclusion. The results of tests performed in terms of the study promote a better understanding of the discussed problem and contribute to its discussion and analysis from a new perspective.
Discussion
The analyzed study also has some important implications. First, it demonstrated that the current vision of LFOs and their impact on individuals could be incomplete and demand a further investigation to acquire a better understanding of the problem. The author shows that the existing costs and financial aspects can deteriorate the state of individuals and their chances for future rehabilitation and resocialization (Pleggenkuhle, 2017).
Under these conditions, the results of the study possess a high practical utility and various implications. The emphasis on the fact that the current state of persons with the outlined experiences might be difficult requires creating new policies and strategies to assist them in coping with these issues. Moreover, there are some theoretical implications of the given study as it can serve as the basis for new research linked to the same problem and contribute to the formation of a complete image of how LFOs affect post-conviction and what measures might be needed to address the given question.
Analyzing the use of research methodology and organization of the study, it is also possible to conclude that the researcher managed to select a sufficient approach to collecting and processing information vital for the project. For instance, purposive sampling is explained by the need to find individuals with the desired experience to create the theoretical background of the research. This sampling strategy contributed to the increased credibility of findings and helped to avoid using false data.
Moreover, the qualitative methodology supported by semi-structured interviews with open questions is also an appropriate research tool meeting the study’s purpose and helping to answer the research questions. Under these conditions, the article describes a well-designed study that benefits from the correct use of research methods and sound data collection tools. The research design promotes an improved vision of the problem and its evaluation, which is one of the main determinants of the successful investigation.
Finally, as stated previously, the analyzed study creates a solid basis for future research. Concluding, the author says that new investigations should continue to develop ways to promote positive policy changes and balance between the fiscal responsibility of offenders and their current needs (Pleggenkuhle, 2017).
The given assumption is supported by findings acquired in the course of the research and the research questions. As far as the author managed to answer questions offered in the study, there is a broad space for future generalization and cogitation about the nature of LFOs and their influence on the future of people with the described experiences.
In such a way, it is possible to conclude that the study managed to conduct an in-depth and effective analysis of the selected problem and create the basis for future projects, which can be considered a serious advantage of the work. The choice of correct methodology helped to avoid biases and corrupted data, meaning that the paper can be recommended for similar projects in the future.
Reference
Pleggenkuhle, B. (2017). The financial cost of a criminal conviction. Context and consequences. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 45(1), 121-145. Web.