Informal Helping Mechanisms: Conceptual Issues in Family Support of Reentry of Former Prisoners

• NCJ Number: 218852
• Journal: Journal of Offender Rehabilitation Volume: 44 Issue: 1 Dated: 2006 Pages: 23-37
• Author(s): Damian J. Martinez
• Date Published: 2006
• Length: 15 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article reviews the current issues facing released prisoners and offers a theoretical framework for understanding the effect of family support on former prisoner reentry.

Abstract

The main argument is that family support is not well understood in terms of its contribution to successful reentry for former prisoners and that a theoretical framework for understanding the role of the family in prisoner reentry is important for future research. In general, the authors suggest that a social exchange theoretical framework provides a conceptual understanding for investigating the role of families in prisoner reentry. The research literature regarding the challenges facing prisoners upon release is reviewed, which outlines the barriers to appropriate housing, limited employment opportunities, transportation problems, and a lack of community support. Despite all that is known about prisoner reentry barriers, relatively little is known about how former prisoners’ families act and function upon the return of the former prisoner to the home. Some studies, however, have suggested that family support is a critical component for successful prisoner reentry. The author contends that a theoretical framework is needed to help identify and understand the role of the family in prisoner reentry. In order to fill this gap, the authors present an overview of several theoretical orientations that can contribute to this understanding, including family stress and coping theories and social exchange theory. The authors suggest that since a social exchange theoretical framework can provide a conceptual understanding for investigating the structure of identifiable exchanges and moral norms, it can thus provide a starting point for studying the role of families in prisoner reentry. Researchers can begin by asking whether a lack of family support decreases the chances of former prisoner success. References