Youth Justice Arbitrators' Experiences with Restorative Justice in Rural American Areas

82 Pages·2017·0.56 MB·English

Walden University
ScholarWorks
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Collection
2017
Youth Justice Arbitrators' Experiences with
Restorative Justice in Rural American Areas
Leigh Dezuraye Hicks
Walden University
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Walden University

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by

Leigh Dezuraye Hicks

has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects,
and that any and all revisions required by
the review committee have been made.

Review Committee
Dr. Jim Castleberry, Committee Chairperson, Human Services Faculty
Dr. Barbara Benoliel, Committee Member, Human Services Faculty
Dr. Tina Jaeckle, University Reviewer, Human Services Faculty

Chief Academic Officer
Eric Riedel, Ph.D.

Walden University
2017
Abstract
Youth Justice Arbitrators’ Experiences with Restorative Justice in Rural American Areas
by
Leigh D. Hicks

MSW, University of South Carolina, 2003
BS, Benedict College, 2001

Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
Human Services

Walden University
May 2017
Abstract
The rise in the number of Black, male, incarcerated, rural youth and the retributive
juvenile justice system is a prominent problem in the United States, creating a revolving
door for youth in conflict with the law. Restorative justice is an alternative approach that
diverts youth from court and focus on rehabilitation, but lacks sufficient experiential
evidence from those involved in the process to support broader implementation. The
purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of restorative justice arbitrators and
the role they play in facilitating resolution of youth criminal charges in a rural setting in a
southern U.S. state. The research question asked how restorative justice arbitrators
perceive and explain their roles, and successes and failures of a restorative justice process
with Black male rural youth. The theoretical framework for the study was Braithwaite’s
reintegrative shaming, which posits the significance of the immediate family and
community in rehabilitation. In this multicase study, research data were collected from
semistructured interviews of 4 rural restorative justice arbitrators and analyzed using
content analysis. Themes that emerged from the analysis were: the key role of rural
community involvement in holding youths accountable to victims for their actions,
preventing youths from developing a criminal record, and redirecting youth away from
incarceration and more toward the community wellbeing. These findings contribute to
social change by informing those working with youth crime about implications for the
field of restorative justice specifically related to the opportunity for communities to
provide benefits not only for juvenile offenders but also for victims and the community as
a whole.
Youth Justice Arbitrators’ Experiences with Restorative Justice in Rural American Areas
by
Leigh D. Hicks

MSW, University of South Carolina, 2003
BS, Benedict College, 2001

Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
Human Services

Walden University
May 2017
Dedication
I would like to dedicate this to my grandmother, the late Kay Frances Bennett; my
grandfather, Frank Bennett; my beautiful mother, Janet Rhodes, to my son, Kamauri
Jameel Hunter and my sweet little Karson Hunter. This dissertation is also dedicated to
my Chairperson, Dr. Castleberry. Thank you for not giving up on me even when I could
not see through my depression at times. When I lost sight at the end of the tunnel, you
assured me there was light! It was then, when I learned to walk by faith and not by sight.
Even when it was suggested that I settle for a second Masters, you encouraged me to
keep striving towards my goal and that you would never give up on me. Dr. Castleberry
gave me hope that no other person could provide. I prayed nightly for progress to be
made in my life. Dr. Castleberry would always say, “we are in this together until the
finish line”. Lastly, I want to dedicate my dissertation to anyone that has ever gone
through a storm. Remember that you can overcome your storm. I am so glad my storm is
over. May God continue to bless my family.
.
Acknowledgments
I would like to thank every faculty member at Walden University whom have
helped me progress into the woman I am today. Specifically, I want to thank Dr.
Castleberry for never giving up on me. To have a chairperson that goes beyond the call of
duty for his students is a blessing. Thank you to my committee members, URR, and
editors that guided me throughout this prestigious, yet challenging process. It was great
having someone like Dr. Benoliel, whom I consider an expert for my research topic. She
pushed me until I was able to identify the gap in my research. Thank you Dr. Benoliel for
your time, dedication, and taking my entire phone calls seems like every day. Many
thanks to my URR, Dr. Jaeckle, for all the time that was dedicated to helping me get my
research completed. I appreciate you with all my heart. In addition, I would like to thank
Dr. Barkley for allowing me to continue this process. I do not know where I would be if
you had not trusted in my committee and I! I would also like to send a special thanks to
my family and true friends for never giving up on me. Lastly, to me, for sacrificing
whatever it took to complete the goal of finishing my dissertation after my grandmother’s
death. To God be the glory, for I would not be here today if it had not been for the Lord.
Table of Contents
List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... iv
List of Figures ......................................................................................................................v
Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ....................................................................................1
Introduction ....................................................................................................................1
Background ....................................................................................................................2
Problem Statement .........................................................................................................4
Purpose of the Study ......................................................................................................5
Research Question .........................................................................................................6
Theoretical Framework ..................................................................................................6
Nature of the Study ........................................................................................................7
Definitions......................................................................................................................8
Assumptions ...................................................................................................................9
Scope and Delimitations ................................................................................................9
Limitations .....................................................................................................................9
Significance..................................................................................................................10
Summary ......................................................................................................................11
Chapter Two: Literature of Review ...................................................................................12
Introduction ..................................................................................................................12
Literature Search Strategy............................................................................................14
Theoretical Framework ................................................................................................14
History of Arbitration ..................................................................................................15
i
Consensus Arbitration Versus Standard Arbitration ............................................. 17
Retributive Justice ........................................................................................................18
Restorative Justice .......................................................................................................18
Department of Juvenile Justice ....................................................................................23
Restorative Justice and Juveniles .................................................................................25
Restorative Justice Approaches ...................................................................................28
Reintegrative Shaming .................................................................................................29
The Youth Arbitration Program ...................................................................................30
Summary ......................................................................................................................32
Chapter Three: Research Method ......................................................................................34
Introduction ..................................................................................................................34
Research Design and Rationale ...................................................................................34
Research Question .......................................................................................................35
Role of the Researcher .................................................................................................35
Methodology ................................................................................................................36
Case Study Selection............................................................................................. 36
Procedures for Recruitment, Participation, and Data Collection .......................... 37
Instrumentation ..................................................................................................... 40
Data Analysis ........................................................................................................ 41
Issues of Trustworthiness .............................................................................................43
Ethical Procedures .......................................................................................................43
Summary ......................................................................................................................44
ii
Chapter 4: Data Collection and Analysis ...........................................................................45
Introduction ..................................................................................................................45
Data Analysis ...............................................................................................................46
Presentation of Findings ..............................................................................................47
Theme 1 ................................................................................................................ 48
Theme 2 ................................................................................................................ 50
Theme 3 ................................................................................................................ 52
Theme 4 ................................................................................................................ 53
Summary and Conclusion ............................................................................................55
Chapter 5: Summary, Conclusions, and Recommendations ..............................................57
Overview of the Study .................................................................................................57
The Findings and the Relevant Literature ....................................................................57
Interpretation of Findings ............................................................................................59
Limitations of the Study...............................................................................................61
Recommendation for Future Research .........................................................................62
Reflection of the Researcher ........................................................................................62
Implication for Social Change .....................................................................................63
Conclusion of Study .....................................................................................................63
References ..........................................................................................................................64

iii