Document Type

Capstone

Abstract

Purpose: The objective of the capstone project was to identify the most significant areas of occupation in which female ex-offenders participate and to determine ways in which occupational therapy could benefit the participants of Transitional Options for Women (TOFW), a transitional housing program that provides a safe environment and eight-step life-skills program for ex-offenders. This objective reflected a need in assisting the staff of TOFW in understanding areas of occupation the participants utilize and rely on during their transition from prison or jail into the community. The project was completed through provision of a community resource manual reflecting identified areas of occupation to enhance the participant's transition. Procedures: To assess the objectives, research on the criminal justice system, reasons for recidivism, identified needs, and typical behaviors of ex-offenders after release from incarceration were explored using multiple online search tools. The selected literature was then reviewed with relevant areas of occupational need as they affect and relate to community reentry. Next, local community resources were identified which correlated with the critical areas of occupation from the literature. The resources were organized in a binder according to areas of need and arranged in order of priority as suggested in the literature. An introduction to the manual was created to educated the staff and participants of the related role of occupational therapy, literature review findings, and organization of the manual for ease in usage. A staff and participant survey was developed. Training on the purpose and use of the community resource manual was completed with TOFW staff and any available participants. Then the survey was provided to the staff and participants of TOFW to obtain feedback on the usefulness of the community resource manual. Finally, a follow-up consultation was offered to the staff of TOFW to respond to questions after review of the community resource manual. Results Results indicate that a community resource manual would be very or extremely useful to staff and participants at TOFW and that information in the community resource manual was very easy to understand. Results :further reveal the resources in the community resource manual met the needs of the user at least very well. All survey respondents reported they were likely to use the community resource manual in the future and were at least moderately satisfied with the community resource manual. There were no reported changes suggested for improvement. Conclusions: In summary, occupational needs of ex-offenders transitioning from prison or jail into the community were found to encompass the majority of the instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) from the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process (3rd Edition) (OTPF, III) (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2014), as determined through a review of the literature. Providing TOFW the fusion of research findings in the form of an overview of the literature and community resource manual was determined to be helpful, easy to use and understand, and met the needs of the staff and participants who responded.

Publication Date

3-29-2016

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