Leadership, Service, and Recidivism: Insights from Rural North Carolina

Jordan’s transformative summer experience as a SOL Fellow in the Edgecombe County Sheriff’s Office focused on the intersection of leadership and service within the context of rural communities and criminal justice systems. Through participation in ride-alongs, shadowing in the detention center, and stakeholder interviews, Jordan gained insights into the complexities of addressing recidivism in rural Eastern North Carolina. Mental health, substance abuse, and poverty emerged as significant contributors to recidivism. Despite the multifaceted nature of recidivism, Jordan emphasized the pivotal role of community members in addressing such issues, highlighting the transformative potential when individuals contribute assets like time, lived experiences, or resources in addressing community issues.