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An exploration of the experience of having a relative in prison
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Date
2023
Authors
McDonnell, Darren
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University College Cork
Published Version
Abstract
Paper 1: The Experience of Having a Partner in Prison – A Systematic Review and Meta-ethnography: The number of individuals in prison is increasing worldwide. More and more family members are impacted by the imprisonment of a loved one. They face a variety of difficulties, such as social exclusion, mental health difficulties, stigma, and isolation. A systematic review and meta-ethnography was carried using Noblit & Hare’s seven step approach to bring together the qualitative research in this area and support policy recommendations. Key databases were searched systematically and twelve studies, with varying aims, sample, and location, were included. The synthesis produced six core themes, reflecting the experiences of partners (mainly female): Role Transitions; Loss and Isolation; Shame and Secrecy; Encounters with the Prison Systems; Silver Linings; New Ways of Coping. The overarching narrative that integrates the findings suggests that the experience of having a partner in prison is a process of resocialisation. Partners not only conform to new circumstances and adjust their behaviour, but also adjust to changes in their roles and responsibilities, relationships, positions in society, and their futures. The findings, notwithstanding limitations and recommendations for future research, highlight the need for healthcare professionals, community and prison services, and policy makers to work together to support this population in their resocialisation process.
Paper 2: Empirical Study: This study aimed to explore the experiences of women who have a relative in prison. Seven women were recruited through a local service that provides educational and social support to the female relatives of those in prison. In-depth semi-structured interviews were carried out and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). The IPA approach was chosen to gain a deeper understanding of the participant’s subjective experiences and to explore the meanings and interpretations they attributed to their experiences. The analysis revealed five overarching themes. Participant’s experiences of having a relative in prison were characterized by feelings of worry and uncertainty, and they were forced to face the aftermath of their relative’s imprisonment. Participants experienced challenges navigating the prison system and faced judgements and stigma from others. They also experienced various barriers to accessing supportive services and felt that relationships and dynamics, both with the person in prison and across the wider family, had changed as a result of imprisonment. There was a lasting emotional impact of incarceration, and participants largely dealt with this alone and through the use of avoidant coping strategies. Some participants also highlighted the value of sharing their experiences with others in the service they were attending. The study contributes to our understanding of the experiences of women with a relative in prison and highlights the need for accessible and suitable support systems for families affected by incarceration. The implications of these findings for policy and practice are discussed, and suggestions for future research are provided.
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Keywords
Experiences , Prison , Qualitative research , Relatives , Interpretative phenomenological analysis , Meta-ethnography
Citation
McDonnell, D. 2023. An exploration of the experience of having a relative in prison. DClinPsych Thesis, University College Cork.