The Impact of COVID-19 on Justice-Involved African Americans: A Follow-Up Study

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic introduced unprecedented challenges to individuals involved in the justice system, particularly African Americans, who have borne a significant burden of its consequences. To better understand the circumstance, this article presents follow-up data 2 years after the pandemic’s onset from Skinner-Osei’s 2023 study, “The Impact of COVID-19 on Justice-Involved African Americans.” Methods: The study employed a phenomenological approach to examine the experiences of justice-involved African Americans in navigating challenges related to recidivism, probation/parole, housing, employment, and family during and after the pandemic. The data were analyzed using the reflexive thematic analysis process. Findings: The original study had 25 participants, and 12 were in the follow-up. The data obtained from both studies underscore the necessity of further research into the enduring impacts of COVID-19 on African Americans involved in the justice system. Conclusion: Given the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on this population, it is critical to explore the long-term ramifications of the virus and its aftermath so that we can better understand the multifaceted challenges facing African Americans in the justice system and develop evidence-based solutions that mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on this vulnerable group.