The Influence of Parental Incarceration on Young Adult Perspectives on Court Case Procedural Justice

• In Event: How the Justice System Treats People Matters

Abstract

In lieu of a growing focus on fairness within the criminal legal system, the study examined how the experience of parental incarceration can serve as a form of legal socialization and shape young adults’ perceptions of court case procedural justice. Data consisted of in-depth interviews with 19 young adults of incarcerated parents and assessed whether they believed the court process that led up to their parent’s incarceration was handled fairly. Findings from our study indicate three main forms of legal socialization that might occur through parental incarceration. Our study broadens the understanding on how young adults of incarcerated parents make meaning of procedural justice.

Authors

• Melissa Noel, Temple University

• Linda Phiri, Georgetown University