 Response of Undergraduate Human Services Programs to the Mass Incarceration Crisis

Abstract

Mass incarceration has resulted in the United States having the world’s largest incarcerated population and the highest rate of incarceration. Consequently, nearly 1 in 4 Americans has a criminal record. Racial and ethnic minorities have much higher rates of incarceration than Whites. The collateral consequences of a criminal conviction are colossal and continue well beyond incarceration. Human services students must be well prepared to competently serve clients and families affected by this crisis. This exploratory, qualitative study aimed to determine if undergraduate programs accredited by the Council for Standards in Human Service Education offer course content related to the mass incarceration crisis. Results from a content analysis of course titles and descriptions of 17 accredited programs suggest students are not being adequately prepared to competently serve this population. Implications for human services education, practice, and research are discussed.