Paternal imprisonment, fatherhood, and family relationships

Paternal imprisonment can have significant consequences for family life. This dissertation provides insights into the complex interplay between paternal imprisonment, fatherhood, and family relationships. It shows that paternal imprisonment can have a range of effects on family life, ranging from no discernible consequences to negative and even positive outcomes. This depends on both the quality of relationships within the family prior to imprisonment and on pre-existing risks such as domestic violence, imprisonment history, and substance use problems. During imprisonment, the opportunities to maintain meaningful family contact play a crucial role in how paternal imprisonment affects family life. This influence continues into the post-release period. Families with stronger family relationships are more resilient to the negative consequences of a paternal imprisonment. Furthermore, involved fatherhood after release from prison is associated with a reduced likelihood of reoffending by fathers. Taken together, these insights are key to developing effective policies to limit the unintended and predominantly negative consequences of parental imprisonment for families. It is my hope that this dissertation will prove valuable for everyone dedicated to supporting families with a parent in prison.