Date
4-7-2026
Department
Rawlings School of Divinity
Degree
Doctor of Education in Christian Leadership (EdD)
Chair
Deidre Jackson
Keywords
Inmate Reentry, Reintegration, Jail Ministry, Prison Ministry, Transformational Leadership, Adaptive Leadership, Strategic Leadership
Disciplines
Christianity | Leadership Studies
Recommended Citation
Campbell, Eric S., "Inmate Reentry: Success Through Faith - A Mixed-Methods Study on Inmate Conversions and Life After Release" (2026). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 8169.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/8169
Abstract
This dissertation-in-praxis (DiP) explored the circumstances surrounding the emotional responses and past traumatic experiences that led inmates to commit their lives to Jesus. The DiP also researched the high rate of recidivism amongst released inmates. The researcher partnered with Reach the Forgotten Jail Ministry (RTF), as well as local churches, in an effort to create a program that would work with inmates prior to and after release. The qualitative study established a paradigm highlighting the significance of comprehensive leadership training in a time of transition by drawing upon transformational leadership theory, adaptive leadership theory, as well as servant leadership theory. The study emphasized the necessity of flexible and visionary leadership in the context of religion and inmate reentry by being Spirit led and biblically sound. Church leaders were made to be better equipped to manage their employees, laity, and congregations through the known and unknown challenges due to this study, which increased flexibility, encouraged creative problem-solving, and strengthened participation.
By focusing on producing leaders who can strategically direct ministries in challenging environments, this DiP aligns with the Doctorate of Education (EdD) in Christian Leadership with a cognate focus in Strategic Christian Ministry. It offers practical advice for creating and carrying out faith-based reentry programs, showing how relational ministry, discipleship, and strategic leadership can change organizations and the communities they serve. The results of this study provided useful insight for leaders and made a substantial contribution to the scholarly discussion on the influence that Jesus has on inmates.
