“Can I Get a Ride?”: The Challenges of Prisoners’ Family Members Searching, (Sometimes) Finding, and Organizing Transportation Service for Visitation

• In Event: Visitation and Social Contact Behind Bars

Abstract

Geographic isolation remains an issue surrounding correctional facility construction. Many states continue to house their inmates within prisons that are often located in remote areas making it difficult for family members to visit. While there is adequate research examining some of the effects family visitation may have on prisoners, evidence is still lacking towards effects incarceration may have on prisoners’ families. It is unclear exactly how family members navigate and manage the process of visiting a prison, specifically what mode(s) of transportation are utilized and their overall availability. Previous qualitative studies have conducted ethnographic observations and interviews with family members traveling to state prisons; however, as the Internet and computer mediated communications (CMCs) have been adopted into our daily lives, it is imperative we are also knowledgeable of how prisoners’ family members utilize certain online tools. By examining the computer mediated communication of two online prisoner family support web forums through participant observation, this paper aims to determine how some family members help each other search for, (in some cases) find, and organize transportation or related travel resources while planning their visit to prison.

Author

• Alison R. Colby, Michigan State University