NCJ Number
212100
Journal
Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice Volume: 21 Issue: 4 Dated: November 2005 Pages: 314-335
Date Published
November 2005
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This study examined the extent to which in-prison family contact mediated the negative effect of incarceration on family relationships.
Abstract
Family relationships play an important factor in the reintegration of offenders back into the community upon release. As such, in order to inform correctional and criminal justice policy, this study analyzed the factors that possibly influence post-release family relationships, with an emphasis on the frequency and type of in-prison contact with family members. Participants were 233 male prisoners set for release in the Chicago area who were interviewed before and after their release regarding the extent to which the quality of the pre-prison family relationships was related to the frequency, type, and quality of in-prison family contact and post-release family support. Results of multiple regression analyses indicated that quality of family relationships and the level of family support were relatively consistent over time and not heavily influenced by the separation and other strains caused by incarceration. However, it was observed that in-prison contact with family improved the quality of family relationships and level of family support following release, with in-prison family contact with children being especially important to the establishment of post-release attachment and involvement with children. Policy implications are discussed and future research avenues identified, which include greater attention to the dynamics of gender in post-release family relationships and support. Tables, notes, references