Date
12-16-2025
Department
Rawlings School of Divinity
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Christian Leadership (PhD)
Chair
Michael Grayston
Keywords
corrections ministry leadership, high school equivalency test, reentry, incarcerated women, county corrections
Disciplines
Leadership Studies
Recommended Citation
O'Neill, Jeri Lea, "Corrections Ministry: Leading by Serving County Level Incarcerated Women’s Practical Needs through the High School Equivalency Test" (2025). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 7871.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/7871
Abstract
The research study explored one possible way that corrections ministry leaders and teams may impactfully serve incarcerated women exemplifying Jesus’s servant leadership and earthly ministry model. In this regard, the purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to evaluate if a relationship exists between High School Equivalency Test (HiSET) attainment and reentry success of women incarcerated at a large southeastern United States county corrections complex.
The study covered an eight-year timeframe from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2024. The total population entailed 6,599 incarcerated women of which the sample was 2,901. The study assessed the reentry success of incarcerated women across three educational accomplishment categories: those who achieved their High School Degree, those who did not, and those who attained their HiSET while incarcerated. Reentry success was compared amongst the educational accomplishment categories. To identify the full impact of HiSET attainment, reentry success was further considered subsequent to the period of incarceration in which they attained HiSET. Identifying the impact could help guide corrections ministry investment efforts. The results of the research indicated that HiSET has a positive impact on reentry success. HSD achievers experienced reentry success at a far greater rate than those who did not. Those incarcerated women who attained their HiSET experienced an even higher reentry success rate than those who achieved their HSD. The results serve to equip corrections ministry leaders, teams, and corrections educators with tangible theoretical and research-based frameworks to encourage and systemize opportunities for women during their incarceration. It also may provide ministerial direction and motivation toward restoration for the incarcerated women themselves.
