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Increasing Incarcerated Females Empathy for Victims: A qualitative Study of Victim Impact Classes

Kenyatta, Sonji Imani
June 4, 2015

Source: (2007) Dissertation submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy In Urban Education:Counseling. Cleveland State University.

The purpose of this dissertation was to evaluate the effects of Victim Impact Classes on eight female offenders’ feelings of empathy for victims. The research questions asked female inmates to reflect on change in empathy, change in locus of control, the overall impact of the class, and to recommend strategies and interventions for their continued rehabilitation, through individual interviews and participation in a focus group. This qualitative, feminist grounded study utilized several additional data sources: class observations, field notes and a pre-test and post-test empathy assessment. The data was analyzed for any expression or changes in feelings of empathy for victims. (Excerpt)

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AbstractCourtsPrisonsRJ OfficeVictim Impact PanelVictim Support
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