The impacts of incarceration extend to the entire family system. The relational impact of incarceration is compounded by the increasing stressors romantic partners experience during incarceration. Romantic relationships are multifaceted and necessitate honoring the voices at the center of experience that are often silenced. Individuals in a romantic relationship with an incarcerated individual were interviewed to understand their lived experience using a phenomenological approach. Five themes (stigma, mental health services, suggestions, impact of incarceration, and limitations) emerged from the eight interviews. Implications are discussed to advocate for this population through research and clinical work.

Over 2.2 million individuals are currently incarcerated in prisons and jails across the United States. Having a family member incarcerated impacts the entire family system. Recent research has shown the relational consequences of incarceration, such as adjusting to and negotiating new rules and roles within the coparenting relationship. The coparenting relationship is multifaceted and necessitates empirical evidence that significantly honors the voices that are at the center of experience but typically silenced by the stigma and prejudice nature of incarceration and its coinciding consequences. Coparenting partners of incarcerated individuals were interviewed to understand the lived experience of incarcerated coparenting using a phenomenological approach. Four themes (positive relationship, stigma, seeking and providing support, and impact of incarceration) emerged from eleven interviews. Implications are provided on how to best advocate for this population through research, clinical work, and policy.

The United States incarcerates more people than any other country in the world. As a result, a growing body of critical research has sought to understand the impact of the carceral experience, not only on those currently or previously incarcerated, but also on those connected to incarcerated individuals. Much of this research identifies the barriers and difficulties loved ones of incarcerated individuals (LOIs) encounter; however, few of these studies highlight the ways LOIs navigate and overcome such barriers. By using this deficits-framework, LOIs can be mischaracterized as solely powerless or disordered. Also, while many studies importantly identify difficulties in navigating the carceral experience of a loved one, few allow LOIs to speak directly to their needs. Drawing upon deidentified Facebook posts from an online LOI group, the current study takes a strengths-based approach to showcase how LOIs attempt to address their needs and assuage difficulties by engaging in storytelling, advice and information sharing, and advocacy work.

Those with an incarcerated loved one have been shown to experience isolation and difficulty navigating the criminal justice system as well as form connections with others who are experiencing a similar situation. The use of social media allows for individuals to connect with others in similar experiences. For those with an incarcerated loved one, the use of Facebook allows for connection with others who are also navigating incarceration. Posts were collected from a Facebook group “Incarcerated Loved Ones,” with multiple themes emerging. The themes that emerged from the posts are sharing experiences and seeking connection. The codes for sharing experiences include updates on loved ones, negative emotional experiences, and venting. The codes for seeking connection include prayers and good news. Implications and future directions are discussed.

Individuals with an incarcerated loved one are often overlooked when discussing the impacts of incarceration. It can be difficult for these individuals to navigate the criminal justice system, as well as form meaningful connections and obtain support from others that are experiencing a similar situation. Social media allows for connections to be made between individuals in similar situations that might not be geographically close to one another. Specifically, for those with an incarcerated loved one, the Facebook group “Incarcerated Loved Ones” allows for meaningful connection to others who are navigating incarceration. Posts were collected from this Facebook group, with the themes emerging including COVID, information seeking, and advocacy. Findings, as well as future directions, will be discussed.