NCJ Number
187957
Date Published
2000
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This paper describes an Australian program that is designed to help the partners of prisoners cope with conditions and events in their lives that stem from the absence of the partner.
Abstract
The Partners of Prisoners Program (POP) in South Australia facilitates access to and delivery of relevant support services and programs that promote the health, well-being, and family life of partners of prisoners who are at risk of HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, or are people living with HIV or Hepatitis C. Ninety-six percent of POP's clients are women partners of prisoners. POP has identified the 2-month "trough" into which partners fall after the man's incarceration, when the household income declines and expenses increase as support for the partner involves weekly trips to the prison. Another common problem is domestic violence "by remote control," as the inmate continues to dictate the partner's movements, friendships, and finances by emotional blackmail, by threats of violence to her or harm to himself, and through other means of manipulation and coercion. Home detention is another issue, as the partner of the detainee becomes responsible for tasks involved in the home detention regime. Thus, the partner often becomes the focus of the offender's frustration and anger related to home-detention restrictions. The roles played by partners of inmates is crucial, not only for themselves, but also for the progress in rehabilitation experienced by the offender. 33 references