Family Members' Experiences with Incarceration and Reentry*

Abstract

This paper explores the impact of the incarceration and return of individuals from prison on their families, including relationships with intimate partners, adult family members, and children. Based on responses from 247 family members of Chicago-bound male prisoners interviewed several months after their imprisoned family members were released, we describe the personal circumstances of the families of returning prisoners, the frequency and type of contact with the imprisoned family members, and the level of family support for the former prisoners after release. We discuss some of the hardships the family members experience during the incarceration and reentry process, and some of the support networks that these family members rely upon, as they face challenges associated with prisoner reentry—the challenges of supporting a family member who has recently been released from prison. We also examine areas of assistance and support that family members of recently released prisoners identified as needed. Findings indicate that these family members are highly supportive of their formerly incarcerated relative, providing financial and emotional support. But family members also experience significant hardships during the reentry period, including financial strain and increased anxiety. Finally, we discuss the policy implications of these findings for developing correctional and community programs and offer suggestions for further research on family issues regarding prisoner reentry.

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