Prison Visits from the Perspective of Incarcerated Men

• In Event: Prisoners' Families: International Perspectives

Abstract

Recent research has examined prison visitation as an opportunity to enhance inmates’ social ties during incarceration and potentially decrease recidivism upon release. Less, however, is known about the broader contextual aspects of visitation, including how men negotiate this unique setting within the prison environment and balance familial expectations about the frequency and dynamics of visits. Here, we draw from a qualitative study of incarcerated men to further investigate these facets of visitation, finding that visits are embedded in family relations centered around regret and blame, self preservation and idealized notions of caring. Incarcerated men impart deep meaning to visitation as a signal of their relevance to family life, yet also enact protective measures to limit visitation in the event that family members are unable or unwilling to participate in the visiting process. These findings inform our understanding of both the complicating factors in incarcerated men’s maintenance of social ties, as well as possibilities for enhancing these relationships.

Authors

• Shenique S. Thomas, Council of State Governments Justice Center

• Johnna Christian, Rutgers University