The Impact of Incarceration on Detainees and their Families

Authors

  • Gianina-Anemona Radu “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” Police Academy, Bucharest Author

Keywords:

incarceration; prison; social isolation; impact; family; release

Abstract

Family connections are crucial for individuals re-entering society after serving their sentences. The support and stability provided by family members can help ease the challenges of finding employment, housing, and rebuilding social connections. Maintaining family connections while in prison can positively impact the emotional and psychological well-being of incarcerated individuals. Regular communication, visits, and support from family members can contribute to a more stable mental state. Parenting programs offered in prison can enhance parenting skills and foster positive relationships between incarcerated parents and their children. These programs aim to mitigate the negative impact of separation on both parents and children. Inmates who maintain strong family ties may be less prone to disciplinary issues within the prison system. The emotional support received through family connections can contribute to a more positive and constructive prison experience. Formerly incarcerated parents may face challenges in reestablishing their roles within their families. Building and maintaining positive relationships with children and other family members are essential components of successful reintegration. Policies that facilitate family connections during incarceration and offer programs for parenting and relationship-building can contribute to positive outcomes for both individuals and their families. This approach delves into the multifaceted dimensions of how parenting and family connections shape the experiences of incarcerated individuals and their families, exploring the psychological, social, and policy implications that underscore the importance of maintaining familial bonds throughout the criminal justice process.

References

Arditti, J. A. (2012). Parental incarceration and the family: Psychological and social effects of imprisonment on children, parents, and caregivers. New York, NY: New York University Press;

Arditti, J. A. (2003). Locked doors and glass walls: Family visiting at a local jail. Journal of Loss and Trauma: International Perspectives on Stress and Coping, 8(2), 115-138;

Arditti, J. A., & Few, A. L. (2006). Mothers’ reentry into family life following incarceration. Criminal Justice Policy Review, 17, 103-123. Arditti, 2003; Kalkan & Smith, 2014;

Baker, J., McHale, J., Strozier, A., & Cecil, D. (2010). Mother-grandmother coparenting relationships in families with incarcerated mothers: A pilot investigation. Family Process, 49(2): 165-184;

Bocknek, E. L., Sanderson, J., & Britner IV, P. A. (2009). Ambiguous loss and posttraumatic stress in school age children of prisoners. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 18, 323- 268 333;

Cassidy, J., Poehlmann, J., & Shaver, P. R. (2010). An attachment perspective on incarcerated parents and their children. Attachment and Human Development, 12(4), 285-288;

Codd, H. (2008). In the shadow of prison: Families, imprisonment and criminal justice. Oregon, USA: Willan;

Dennison, S., Foley, D., & Stewart, A. (2005). Understanding experiences and needs of families of prisoners. Final report to the department of communities. Key centre for ethics, law, justice, and governance. Griffith University. Retrieved from

https://www.griffith.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/208034/Intergenerational-effectsof-imprisonment-families-of-prisoners.pdf

Durnescu, I. (2016, February 2). Colapsul sistemului de probatiune din Romania? [The collapse of the Romanian probation system?]. Contributors.ro, Retrieved from

http://www.contributors.ro/reactie-rapida/colapsul-sistemului-de-probatiune-dinromania/Durnescu

http://www.contributors.ro/administratie/sa-vorbim-serios-despre-supra-aglomerareapenitenciarelor-si-gratiere/

Huynh-Hohnbaum, A. L., Bussell, T., & Lee, G. (2015). Incarcerated mothers and fathers: How their absences disrupt children’s high school graduation. International Journal of Psychology and Educational Studies, 2(2), 1-11;

Jones, A. & Wainaina-Wozna, E. (Eds.) (2013). Children of prisoners, intervention and mitigations to strengthen mental health. Huddersfield, UK: University of Huddersfield;

Liliana Foca, (2017), The Effects of Family Relationships on Children of Prisoners – A Study of Romania, The University of Huddersfield April 2017,Retrieved from

https://eprints.hud.ac.uk/id/eprint/34570/1/Liliana%20Foca%20FINAL%20THESIS.PDF

Lowenstein, A. (1986). Temporary single parenthood – The case of prisoners’ families. Family Relations, 35(1), 79-85;

Murray, J., & Murray, L. (2010). Parental incarceration, attachment and child psychopathology. Attachment and Human Development, 12(4), 289-309;

Murray, J., & Farrington, D. P. (2006). Evidence-based programs for children of prisoners. Criminology & Criminal Justice, 5(4), 721-736;

Parke, R. D. (2003). Development in the family. Annual Review of Psychology, 55, 365-399;

Phillips, S. D., & Zhao, J. (2010). The relationship between witnessing arrest and elevated symptoms of posttraumatic stress: Findings from a national study of children involved in the child welfare system. Children and Youth Services Review, 32, 1246-1254;

Phillips, S. D., Erkanli, A., Keeler, G. P., Costello, E. J., & Angold, A. (2006). Disentangling the risks: Parent criminal justice involvement and children’s exposure to family risks. Criminology and Public Policy, 5(4), 677-702;

Poehlmann, J., Dallaire, D., Booker Loper, A., & Shear, L. D. (2010). Children’s contact with their incarcerated parents. American Psychologist, 65(6), 575-598;

Robertson, O., Christmann, K., Sharratt, K., Berman, A., H., Manby, M., Ayre, E. et al. (2016). Children of prisoners: Their situation and role in long-term crime prevention. In H. Kury, S. Redo, & E. Shea (Eds.) Women and Children as Victims and Offenders: Background, Prevention, Reintegration (pp. 203-232). CH: Springer International Publishing

Downloads

Published

2023-06-30

Issue

Section

Criminal Law

How to Cite

The Impact of Incarceration on Detainees and their Families. (2023). The Criminal Sciences Journal, 1(1), 30-37. https://tcsj.academiadepolitie.ro/journal/article/view/5

Most read articles by the same author(s)