PSYC 317
Crisis Intervention of Incarcerated Family Members
Department of Psychology, Liberty University
PSYC 317: Crisis Intervention
Introduction
Incarceration is a growing crisis in the United States that affects the entire family.
Although the offender is separated from the family due to poor life decisions, the true victims are
the loved ones that do not get the opportunity to grow up with a father, a mother, a brother, or a
sister. The relationships between the incarcerated and the family are able to remain emotionally
positive through the visitation system; however, they often deteriorate over time as the separation
begins to put a strain on both parties. As a result, the uptake of responsibilities tends to unfairly
fall upon the elder of the household and cause a great deal of financial and emotional stress. The
family structure and dynamic can be permanently changed post-incarceration, and mixed feelings
of abandonment, sadness, and anger can consume what was once a strong family unit.
A Description of Family Member Incarceration
Majority of criminals that are incarcerated have a family, whether that be a wife, children,
parents, or siblings. In a situation such as the imprisonment of a guilty criminal, both the
offender and the family are negatively impacted by the event. The cost of losing a member of the
family can lead to financial setbacks when that person is no longer there to contribute monetarily.
Partners of the incarcerated tend to become responsible for making sure that the loved one has
money for necessities such as food, toiletries, and phone calls. Relationships are likely to be
damaged due to personal resentment and the loss of trust among friends and family. Families that
want to remain close to the offender must relinquish the socioeconomic quality of the
neighborhood life in result of maternal hardship. Emotionally speaking, families must deal with
the void that is left behind by the offender and learn to readjust to a new environment. According
, to Christine Leibbrand, one of many authors of Barring Progress: The influence of Paternal
Incarceration on Families’ Neighborhood Attainment, children in the developing years of life are
the most negatively affected by the event of parental incarceration (85). Young boys that do not
grow up with a strong male role model are likely to display unruly behavior in school and may
even follow in the fathers’ criminal footsteps. Daughters without present fathers tend to acquire a
poor outlook of men and what constitutes a good husband. As reported by Megan Comfort, one
of many authors of, The Costs of Incarceration for Families of Prisoners, the incarceration of
male family members is higher than the incarceration of female family members (789).
Therefore, the family relies heavily on the mother to be the authority figure of the house and to
provide residential stability. Unfortunately, the pressure of taking on this role can create negative
health outcomes like depression, anxiety, and chronic stress. Family member incarceration is a
growing crisis in the United States that needs to be addressed.
Historical Background to Family Member Incarceration
Before examining the prevalence of family member incarceration, one must explore the
cause of the crisis. According to Tasseli McKay, one of many authors of Family Life Before and
During Incarceration, in 2007 over half of the carceral population in the United States are parents
(96). Although pre-incarceration has not been heavily investigated, some would suggest that
economic challenges play a role in crime-ridden families. Common themes among those affected
by crime involve having less than a high school education, deriving from a lower income
household, and residential instability. McKay found that in 2010 two-thirds of jail inmates
resided in households that obtain an income under less than fifty percent of the federal poverty
line (97). There is a correlation which supports the existence of an economic influence on crime,
however, there is further information that would suggest that societal factors are to blame for the
rise in incarceration. The crime rate prior to the year 2000 was relatively low compared to the
year 2008 according to Wing Hong Chui, one of many authors of Incarceration and Family Stress
Crisis Intervention of Incarcerated Family Members
Department of Psychology, Liberty University
PSYC 317: Crisis Intervention
Introduction
Incarceration is a growing crisis in the United States that affects the entire family.
Although the offender is separated from the family due to poor life decisions, the true victims are
the loved ones that do not get the opportunity to grow up with a father, a mother, a brother, or a
sister. The relationships between the incarcerated and the family are able to remain emotionally
positive through the visitation system; however, they often deteriorate over time as the separation
begins to put a strain on both parties. As a result, the uptake of responsibilities tends to unfairly
fall upon the elder of the household and cause a great deal of financial and emotional stress. The
family structure and dynamic can be permanently changed post-incarceration, and mixed feelings
of abandonment, sadness, and anger can consume what was once a strong family unit.
A Description of Family Member Incarceration
Majority of criminals that are incarcerated have a family, whether that be a wife, children,
parents, or siblings. In a situation such as the imprisonment of a guilty criminal, both the
offender and the family are negatively impacted by the event. The cost of losing a member of the
family can lead to financial setbacks when that person is no longer there to contribute monetarily.
Partners of the incarcerated tend to become responsible for making sure that the loved one has
money for necessities such as food, toiletries, and phone calls. Relationships are likely to be
damaged due to personal resentment and the loss of trust among friends and family. Families that
want to remain close to the offender must relinquish the socioeconomic quality of the
neighborhood life in result of maternal hardship. Emotionally speaking, families must deal with
the void that is left behind by the offender and learn to readjust to a new environment. According
, to Christine Leibbrand, one of many authors of Barring Progress: The influence of Paternal
Incarceration on Families’ Neighborhood Attainment, children in the developing years of life are
the most negatively affected by the event of parental incarceration (85). Young boys that do not
grow up with a strong male role model are likely to display unruly behavior in school and may
even follow in the fathers’ criminal footsteps. Daughters without present fathers tend to acquire a
poor outlook of men and what constitutes a good husband. As reported by Megan Comfort, one
of many authors of, The Costs of Incarceration for Families of Prisoners, the incarceration of
male family members is higher than the incarceration of female family members (789).
Therefore, the family relies heavily on the mother to be the authority figure of the house and to
provide residential stability. Unfortunately, the pressure of taking on this role can create negative
health outcomes like depression, anxiety, and chronic stress. Family member incarceration is a
growing crisis in the United States that needs to be addressed.
Historical Background to Family Member Incarceration
Before examining the prevalence of family member incarceration, one must explore the
cause of the crisis. According to Tasseli McKay, one of many authors of Family Life Before and
During Incarceration, in 2007 over half of the carceral population in the United States are parents
(96). Although pre-incarceration has not been heavily investigated, some would suggest that
economic challenges play a role in crime-ridden families. Common themes among those affected
by crime involve having less than a high school education, deriving from a lower income
household, and residential instability. McKay found that in 2010 two-thirds of jail inmates
resided in households that obtain an income under less than fifty percent of the federal poverty
line (97). There is a correlation which supports the existence of an economic influence on crime,
however, there is further information that would suggest that societal factors are to blame for the
rise in incarceration. The crime rate prior to the year 2000 was relatively low compared to the
year 2008 according to Wing Hong Chui, one of many authors of Incarceration and Family Stress
