Date on Master's Thesis/Doctoral Dissertation
5-2012
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Degree Name
M.S.
Department (Legacy)
Department of Justice Administration
Committee Chair
Tewksbury, Richard
Author's Keywords
Halfway-house; Volunteers; Faith-based organizations; Transitional living; Offender programming; Backgrounds and motivations
Subject
Volunteer workers in social service; Halfway houses; Faith-based human services
Abstract
This study examines the backgrounds and motivations of individuals who volunteer for a Protestant Christian faith-based halfway-house for recently released offenders. Drawing on eight in-depth interviews with volunteers from a faith-based ministry located in a Southern city, the study examines how and why volunteers come to their positions and what they perceive as rewards of their work. Typically, volunteers report receiving more benefits themselves than they perceive offender clients receiving. Chief among perceived rewards are a transparent community in which volunteers could safely share personal aspects of themselves than what they could experience elsewhere. This study provides valuable information to scholars, legislators, and correctional professionals by showing that faith-based ministries do not necessarily emphasize the religious aspect of their program.
Recommended Citation
Denney, Andrew Stephen, "Backgrounds and motivations of faith-based halfway-house volunteers." (2012). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 332.
https://doi.org/10.18297/etd/332
