Hearing the Experiences of Family and Loved ones who are Incarcerated: Piecing Together Stories through Phone Calls and Prison Visitation

• In Event: Convict Criminology Panel #7: Feminist Perspectives in Convict Criminology

Abstract

This presentation focuses on the lived experience of connecting with loved ones who are currently incarcerated. Facing the continual expense of providing loved ones with support and encouragement throughout their incarceration can have a financial impact for those on the outside but also creates an emotional toll that is born out of necessity. This paper examines research on the prison industrial complex and the corporations that profit off of the pain of the family and friends of incarcerated folks who desperately want to be there to support their loved ones but continue to face financial issues in doing so. In addition, the Implications for emotional well-being are discussed and recommendations for reform are also provided.

Author

• J. Renee Trombley, Metropolitan State University of Denver