Reversing the Panopticon: Perspectives of Previously Incarcerated Adults in Community College

The purpose of this critical case study was to better understand the experiences of previously incarcerated adults in a community college. This research was informed by critical criminology (Brown, 2009), especially the societal eye of the panopticon (Foucault, 1975/1977). Furthermore, I expanded on this with Paulo Freire’s (2005) work on oppression and education. This research was also informed by the existing literature on community college students in three areas: those who have been incarcerated, those in on-campus addiction recovery support, and those employed in work-study positions. Through semi-structured interviews, photo-elicitation interviews, and a review of the material data, four previously incarcerated community college students’ experiences were explored. The findings fall into themes around enrollment, classroom culture and academics, financial struggles, campus supports, and how the past has implications for the students’ futures. Recommendations from these themes are to include incarceration background in the language and programming in Centers for Diversity and Inclusion, clarify language around work-study positions, provide on-campus addiction and mental health support, train faculty and staff who work in career and transfer services on navigating the impacts of a felony record, and offer faculty trainings to better support previously incarcerated students in the classroom.