Factors of Black Transgender Ex-Offender Women that Contribute to Recidivism

Black female transgender ex-offender recidivism rates continue to rise at a higher percentage than males. This has resulted in transgender female ex-offender unemployment and homelessness, which in turn creates opportunities to commit crimes. However, there are no programs that advocate for creating resources to ensure successful reentry of transgender ex-offenders into their communities. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to understand contributing factors to recidivism among Black transgender women ex-offenders while addressing an under-researched group of people, the transgender community. The theoretical framework for this study was McGuire’s inoculation theory. The research question focused on what experiences affected the recidivistic behaviors of Black transgender ex-offenders. A qualitative phenomenological study design was employed using semi-structured interviews of 10 Black transgender women ex-offenders using purposive sampling in the Northeastern United States. Transcripts from interviews were categorized for thematic analysis with a 6-step coding process. Based upon the coding process that was applied to the data that was gathered, 4 main themes emerged: (a) living in one’s truth, (b) acceptance and the desire to belong, (c) means of survival, and (d) character realization of self-sustaining. Study results indicated homelessness, unemployment, violence, hunger, lack of support, and peer pressure were factors that contributed to recidivism among the target population. Implications for social change include informing and educating policymakers of the importance of developing policies and programs to support the transgender ex-offender population