NCJ Number
218740
Journal
Criminal Justice and Behavior: An International Journal Volume: 34 Issue: 6 Dated: June 2007 Pages: 794-815
Date Published
June 2007
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This study examined specific relationship challenges and factors impacting the reunification of ex-prisoners with their intimate partners upon their release.
Abstract
Three main themes emerged from the research: (1) how couples coped with separation; (2) the challenges couples faced during reunification; and (3) specific relationship dynamics that might put couples at risk for HIV infection. The findings suggest that upon reunification, partners have trouble reestablishing trust and intimacy and men feel a sense of emasculation, particularly if they are dependent upon their partner for financial support. The focus group participants focused on the institutional barriers to relationship maintenance, feelings of isolation while incarcerated, coping with sex and beliefs about infidelity, the awkwardness of starting over with their mate, challenges with reestablishing trust and intimacy, role strain, struggles for power and control, substance use and continued criminality, and HIV issues. The findings support calls to provide mental health, substance abuse, and health rehabilitation programming within prisons. Future research should focus on how to ease prisoner reunification with intimate partners. The research employed a focus group methodology in which 12 ex-prisoners, who were recruited from around New Haven, CT through the use of brochures and referrals from community-based organizations, completed 5 focus group interviews and 1 in-depth interview. All participants had been involved in a heterosexual relationship with an intimate partner prior to and during their incarceration. Focus group discussions focused on open-ended questions about their separation and reunification with their partner after incarceration. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed thematically for emerging themes. References