Mass incarceration has historically disproportionately affected African Americans, in addition to persons with disabilities which has resulted in the unintended consequence of mass reentry for persons with these identities. It is estimated that over 600,000 individuals are released from federal prison or jail annually with many reentry outcomes being heavily investigated and researched (i.e. experiences of homelessness, recidivism, familial coping and reunification, unemployment and underemployment; see Pager, 2008; Travis, 2005; Western, 2006). However, there is limited research that critically explores the interpersonal, communal, and structural factors that influence the reentry process as explained by the lived experiences of black males with disabilities returning to their respective communities post-incarceration. Additionally, Wisconsin incarcerates its black residents in state prisons at a rate of nearly 12 times that of its white residents (Prison Policy Initiative, 2021). Therefore, the purpose of this study is to uncover the structures that contribute to the unique reentry experiences of black male returning citizens with disabilities in Wisconsin through the utilization of interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA; Larkin et. al, 2021) while being rooted in Disability Critical Race Theory (DisCrit; Annamma, et. al; 2013). DisCrit will serve as a guiding framework to recognize the pervasive ways that racism & ableism contribute to the reentry experiences of black returning citizens with disabilities. The findings of this study aim to co-construct and illuminate what it means to reenter society post-incarceration in the state of Wisconsin by those who are most vulnerable and susceptible to experiencing incarceration and reentry. The implications of this study are to offer valuable insights to stakeholders, policymakers, researchers, practitioners, and students in helping professional fields that allow us to reimagine new po
ssibilities to improve reentry outcomes through the centering of voices with lived experience in our research.
