NCJ Number
229369
Date Published
2009
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This study examined the ways in which interactions among family members and former prisoners were perceived as being supportive.
Abstract
Analysis of the data shows the importance of social support to former prisoners and their families. The data revealed that perceptions of being supported motivated and encouraged noncriminal behavior and that the same act of support could serve multiple functions. In addition, the recognition that individuals believed that support would be exchanged was evidence of a base of strengths to work from in providing families and former prisoners with mechanisms to encourage abstinence from or decrease in criminal behavior. The findings indicate that former prisoners and family members want to provide social support despite the many obligations of each. Research shows that when individuals are released from prison, they often reenter social environments and relationships that have the potential to be disruptive to their success. Research also shows that most individuals who are released interact and/or reside with their family members. However, minimal research has been done on the way in which former prisoners and family members perceive and exchange social support and their underlying rationale for doing so. This chapter responds through an investigation of the process of exchanging support in the context of 7 dyadic relationships among 14 former prisoners and select, supportive family members. Data were collected from the Evaluation Project of the Illinois Going Home Program. Notes and references