Understanding Incarceration and Re-Entry Experiences of Female Inmates, Caregivers of Children, and Children: The Women’s Prison Inmate Networks Study (WO-PINS)

• In Event: Incarceration, Social Capital, and Community Re-Entry

Abstract

The Women’s Prison Inmate Networks Study (WO-PINS) explores the prison and re-entry experiences of female inmates incarcerated in two Pennsylvania prisons. This presentation presents preliminary results of the reentry portion of the project. Parole-eligible inmate respondents are administered semi-structured qualitative and network interviews to garner their future expectations, social capital and support, and preparations for community re-entry and re-interviewed within the community. Similar interviews are conducted with children of incarcerated mothers and their primary caregivers while mothers were incarcerated and after release. Taken together, the study assesses how incarceration both negatively and positively impacts the complex family dynamics characterizing women, children, and caregiver's experiences through the period of imprisonment and post-release reunification process.

Authors

• Sara Wakefield, Rutgers University

• Derek Kreager, Pennsylvania State University

• Michaela Soyer, Hunter College CUNY

• Dana L. Haynie, The Ohio State University

• Gary Zajac, Pennsylvania State University