Informal Helping Mechanisms

Abstract

Abstract Reentry of formerly incarcerated individuals into society is an experience that must be negotiated not only by the former prisoner, but also by many other actors. Research has examined the pre-prison experiences, the incarceration experiences, and the post-release behavior of former prisoners, focusing on how such experiences affect the socioeconomic and psychological stability and well-being of the family. This research has stimulated renewed and widespread interest in what to do with individuals once they have been released from prison. However, a major source of support for formerly incarcerated individuals upon releasenamely, the familyhas gone unresearched. Because many returning former prisoners have contacts with their families upon release, conceptual issues regarding family support must be considered before researchers' ideas about reentry-problem solutions can be evaluated. To inform and enlighten the former prisoner reentry-family support discussion, this article reviews the current state of affairs and problems confronting former prisoners; summarizes what is known about family support in former prisoner reentry; reflects on potential theoretical frameworks to understand family support of former prisoner reentry; and offers elements of a constructive model for future research in this area.