Review the Essay attached to answer/explain the following in this 4–5-page paper:
- How would you address social justice issues presented in this experience differently?
- What could you do to set a policy agenda that would address this issue? Be sure to speak to anti-oppressive practices and power issues present in addressing social justice here.
Write a 4-5-page paper, using APA style, and be sure to reference all material and fully define all concepts.
You may use the resources attached as well as any others that you may find appropriate to thoroughly explain.
Social Justice
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Social justice refers to the idea that all people are equal and that they deserve equal political, economic, and social rights as well as access to opportunities (Nicotera, 2019). The essay presents several social justice issues encountered by a formerly-incarcerated individual called Mr. Lee who was released after three years in prison. After his release, Mr. Lee went to live with his brother, sister-in-law, and their children. He was always treated with suspicion by his sister-in-law and even his nephews and nieces were warned to stay away from him. It was also difficult for Mr. Lee to get a job due to his criminal past hence he could not afford to get his own house. As a result, he was depressed and went back to alcohol abuse. The social worker connected Lee to work as a cook in a facility providing correctional services and he also got the opportunity to register for a catering course. The purpose of this essay is to discuss the social justice issues present in the case study and how the issues could have been addressed differently. The essay will also describe what could be done to set a policy agenda that would address the social justice issues.
Social Justice Issues
The main social justice issues that Lee experienced after his incarceration included discrimination, stigma, unemployment, and poverty. The issues were mainly addressed by advocating for him, helping him get an employment opportunity, enhancing communication, and reconciling him with his sister-in-law. However, the social justice issues could be addressed differently by incorporating mental health treatment as part of the intervention process. According to Addison et al. (2022), formerly incarcerated people have a higher risk of poor mental health due to their experiences in prison and the discrimination and stigma they face when they get out of prison. In prison, issues such as lack of privacy, living in a crowded area, and high risk of victimization lead to adaptation challenges and poor mental health. Fahmy (2021) adds that stressors associated with reentry into society, coupled with the fear of making mistakes and going back to prison, contribute to poor mental health. When mental health issues such as depression and anxiety are not addressed in time, they increase the risk of developing other disorders such as substance use disorders as in the case of Lee who began misusing alcohol. Additionally, mental illness increases the risk of developing chronic conditions such as hypertension.
Lee should have had access to mental health services to help with the depression and substance abuse issues he endured. A thorough mental health assessment should have been conducted to determine his exact state and interventions developed based on the findings. The assessment should have included prison experiences that put him at risk of poor mental health after his release. Therapy sessions would also have been useful in helping Lee understand that the reactions that people had to him were typical given his criminal background and that he needed to make a personal effort to gain the trust of his sister-in-law and the people living in the neighborhood.
To deal with the issue of difference, family therapy sessions may have also been effective. Lee was isolated by his sister-in-law who believed that he was still a criminal and this perception was shared by other people in the neighborhood. As per Negash et al. (2022), relationships between family members undergo significant changes during and after incarceration. Family stabilization after incarceration is a complex process due to stressors associated with housing, unemployment, social stigma, financial constraints, and discrimination. Family therapy is a strategy that can help reunify families by helping the members deal with the challenges. The success of family therapy depends on gaining an in-depth understanding of family dynamics and helping improve communication and cohesion. The main benefits of family therapy include improving relationships and ensuring that they support the member released from prison. In Lee’s case, family therapy would have helped settle the differences between him and his sister-in-law. Therapy would have also made it easier for him to develop a positive relationship with his nieces and nephews. Additionally, therapy would help the family communicate better about issues such as financial constraints and work towards effective solutions together. In the
Community engagement would also have been a useful strategy for dealing with social justice issues. As per Negash et al. (2022), social workers should work directly with members of the community since formerly-incarcerated individuals are part of them. Offering re-entry programs and allowing members of the community to volunteer in such programs may help encourage positive relationships with formerly incarcerated people. In the case of Lee, community engagement would help reduce the stigma and discrimination that Lee faced.
Policy Agenda
Oppression is defined as systematic exploitation, abuse, or mistreatment of specific population groups by other people who hold power within the society. People with power control major social institutions and the norms and laws followed by society (Nicotera, 2019). In the case study, Lee was a victim of oppression because his criminal background prevented him from accessing employment opportunities. Lee had already been rehabilitated for his crimes and was fit to be part of the society hence preventing him from accessing employment was a form of oppression.
A policy agenda refers to a set of problems or issues that gather the attention of policymakers (Pawar, 2019). The main issue that should be addressed is the reentry of incarcerated people into the community, especially about access to employment, mental and physical health services, and dealing with homelessness. I would set the policy agenda by gathering information about the issues experienced by formerly-incarcerated persons to fully understand the problem. I would define the problem by appealing to the rights of incarcerated people and the need for social justice to ensure that they access employment opportunities. I would communicate with political figures at the local, state, and national levels to gather support for the need to address the problem. I would also seek the help of advocacy groups and other interest groups who can help create awareness on the issue among the general public using campaigns that may include social media campaigns which will help gain the attention of policymakers.
Conclusion
The case of Lee illustrates that formerly-incarcerated people experience oppression since it is almost impossible for them to access good employment opportunities regardless of their abilities and experiences. Successful re-entry into society is crucial since it helps improve the mental health status of incarcerated persons and reduces the risk of recidivism. In the case of Lee, family therapy and community engagement might have facilitated a smoother re-entry into society and prevented issues such as discrimination and stigma. It is important to set a policy agenda that will improve access to employment opportunities for offenders once they are released from prison.
References
Addison, H., Richmond, T., Lewis, L., & Jacoby, S. (2022). Mental health outcomes in formerly incarcerated Black men: A systematic mixed studies review. Journal of Advanced Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.15235
Fahmy, C. (2021). First weeks out: Social support stability and health among formerly incarcerated men. Social Science &Amp; Medicine, 282, 114141. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114141
Negash, S., Chung, K., & Oh, S. (2022). Families post‐release: Barriers and pathways to family therapy. Family Process, 61(2), 609-624. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12769
Nicotera, A. (2019). Social Justice and Social Work, a Fierce Urgency: Recommendations for Social Work Social Justice Pedagogy. Journal of Social Work Education, 55(3), 460-475. https://doi.org/10.1080/10437797.2019.1600443
Pawar, M. (2019). Social Work and Social Policy Practice: Imperatives for Political Engagement. The International Journal of Community and Social Development, 1(1), 15-27. https://doi.org/10.1177/2516602619833219