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Consequences of Family Member Incarceration

Author

Listed:
  • Hedwig Lee
  • Lauren C. Porter
  • Megan Comfort

Abstract

Political participation and citizens’ perceptions of the legitimacy and fairness of government are central components of democracy. In this article, we examine one possible threat to these markers of a just political system: family member incarceration. We offer a unique glimpse into the broader social consequences of punishment that are brought on by a partner’s or parent’s incarceration. We argue that the criminal justice system serves as an important institution for political socialization for the families of those imprisoned, affecting their attitudes and orientations toward the government and their will and capacity to become involved in political life. We draw from ethnographic data collected by one of the authors, quantitative data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, and interviews with recently released male prisoners and their female partners. Our findings suggest that experiences of a family member’s incarceration complicate perceptions of government legitimacy and fairness and serve as a barrier to civic participation.

Suggested Citation

  • Hedwig Lee & Lauren C. Porter & Megan Comfort, 2014. "Consequences of Family Member Incarceration," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 651(1), pages 44-73, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:anname:v:651:y:2014:i:1:p:44-73
    DOI: 10.1177/0002716213502920
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Christopher Wildeman, 2009. "Parental imprisonment, the prison boom, and the concentration of childhood disadvantage," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 46(2), pages 265-280, May.
    2. Christopher Wildeman, 2014. "Parental Incarceration, Child Homelessness, and the Invisible Consequences of Mass Imprisonment," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 651(1), pages 74-96, January.
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    5. Traci R. Burch, 2014. "Effects of Imprisonment and Community Supervision on Neighborhood Political Participation in North Carolina," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 651(1), pages 184-201, January.
    6. Nesmith, Ande & Ruhland, Ebony, 2008. "Children of incarcerated parents: Challenges and resiliency, in their own words," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(10), pages 1119-1130, October.
    7. Amanda Geller & Irwin Garfinkel & Bruce Western, 2011. "Paternal Incarceration and Support for Children in Fragile Families," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 48(1), pages 25-47, February.
    8. Benjamin Justice & Tracey L. Meares, 2014. "How the Criminal Justice System Educates Citizens," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 651(1), pages 159-177, January.
    9. Melanie Bowers & Robert R. Preuhs, 2009. "Collateral Consequences of a Collateral Penalty: The Negative Effect of Felon Disenfranchisement Laws on the Political Participation of Nonfelons," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 90(3), pages 722-743, September.
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