Date of Award

Summer 8-16-2024

Level of Access Assigned by Author

Open-Access Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Interdisciplinary Program

Advisor

Sandra Butler

Second Committee Member

Evaon Wong

Third Committee Member

Douglas Allen

Additional Committee Members

Geoffrey Thorpe

Hugh Curran

Abstract

This qualitative study was created to explore the phenomenon of interconnectedness as a potential means of easing division between people in a jail, as a microcosm of our larger world. Thus in one of our culture's institutions most notorious for provoking and enacting separation, people were invited to contemplate and speak about connection. Interconnectedness has long been pondered by people from myriad global, spiritual, and scholarly perspectives. Among these, the holistic Indigenous worldview, Buddhist nonduality, Gandhian philosophy, and transpersonal psychology were included in supporting such a consideration here. Woven through this research in design and execution was an aim of egalitarianism, fed by anti-oppressive practice in social work, or dissolution of “the expert model of service delivery” (Pollack, 2004, p.694) to better honor client empowerment. Poetry was used as one choice of expression for participants, and also as one means of discussing findings by the researcher. Holism was an undercurrent of this research; thus the study was conducted system-wide, involving people in the varied jail roles of staff, inmates, and social service providers. Participants were interviewed twice about their experiences of interconnectedness both in and outside of the jail, and invited to add further reflections in poetry they wrote. Narratives grew from their insights into both human, and nonhuman, forms of this phenomenon — including interconnectedness felt in spiritual, animal, natural, artistic and transcendent contexts. For some people who have not experienced positive human connection, due to societal or personal trauma, the experience of interconnectedness through other aspects of consciousness can be vitally soothing, enlightening, and even healing; the narratives offered evidence of this. From the voices of study participants emerged the following themes: great respect; deep trust; my richness; heart centered; higher things; in a circle; the whole; reconnection; and separation. This study’s findings are applicable to efforts in today’s world — including in the profession of social work, and the institution of corrections — which aim to heal disconnection among people and within communities. The implications here may be useful (if not vital) in easing division which in jail, or our greater world, can destroy spirit — and life itself.

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