The Wisdom of the Formerly Incarcerated: The Experiences of Women in Correctional Programming

• In Event: Gendered Aspects of Reentry Experiences

Abstract

Formerly incarcerated women (FIW) have a unique perspective on prison programming, particularly now that they have been released to free society. While recidivism is often used as a primary indicator of a successful reentry, FIW construct their own narratives and understandings of success built on their lived experiences. This study utilizes semi-structured in-depth interviews with FIW to answer: (1) What are FIW’s experiences of prison programming? (2) How do FIW define reentry success? (3) What barriers do FIW face to accessing, participating in, and/or completing the programming? Findings suggest that the popularized gender-responsive principles, strategies, and programming are presently unable to address the complex structural issues inherent in the American CLS. The intersecting nature of gender, class and status, age, education level, and ability have all shaped their experiences, and yet the available programming has neither challenged nor interrogated the normative assumptions latent in the experiences of people in a gendered institution like the prison. In utilizing a framework that recognizes the strengths of FIW, this research provides a more comprehensive understanding of the interplay between women’s prison program experiences and their reentry goals and success narratives, while also remaining critical of the broader socio-structural factors inherent in the CLS.

Author

• Mackenzie Niness, University of Delaware