Coaching from Within: The Journey
The Impact OF and ON Formerly Incarcerated Men and Women Who Are Involved in Inside-Out Trainings and Workshops
September, 2024
Findings by Joe Schwartz
To gather data, I used qualitative research methods—interviews, focus groups, and surveys. The findings revealed a strengthened sense of identity, purpose, and confidence that emerged as the coaches came to recognize the relevance and significance of their experiences as system-impacted students.
The opportunity to share their journeys with instructors provides a meaningful experience that helps many returning citizens recognize and dismantle the self-imposed limitations of their own narratives.
The research extends beyond incarceration, suggesting a potential for the positive influence education and leadership development can have on an individuals' lives. Core themes—such as self-identity, personal agency, collaboration, and community—hold significance not only for individuals impacted by the justice system, but for anyone grappling with the challenge of reimagining their place in the world after a crisis. The study shows that self discovery becomes the catalyst for change in their communities and beyond.
The research highlights the value of resources that support personal development as a foundation for active citizenship.
Whether in the classroom, workplace, or in community organizations, when people are equipped with tools to examine and challenge their potential, they have the opportunity to uncover a capacity for creating positive change—within themselves, and the fabric of society as a whole.
Joe Schwartz
