Experience of Stigma Post Incarceration: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Background: Minimal attention has been given to the perspectives and experiences of individuals post incarceration regarding stigma and its impact on reintegration and occupational engagement. This research aimed to understand how stigma is experienced among individuals who were formerly incarcerated and its influence on occupational engagement, specifically social participation, work, and school occupations. This research also examined the role of occupational therapy as an intervention in addressing stigma from the perspectives of individuals who were formerly incarcerated to inform practice and mitigate the influence of stigma. Method: Interviews were conducted with 10 participants of a work rehabilitation program for people who had previously been incarcerated. A thematic analysis was performed to identify major themes. Themes were organized into concept maps related to stigma as experienced by those who were formerly incarcerated. Results: Four overarching themes emerged. These themes, internal and external perceptions, and family and community systems, served to enable as well as disable the impact of stigma on daily life post incarceration. Conclusion: The themes presented increased the understanding of stigma as experienced by individuals who were formerly incarcerated and supported the need for further research and occupational therapy programming specifically aimed at minimizing the impact of stigma. Comments This study was approved by the university's institutional review board and completed in partial fulfillment of the university's occupational therapy postprofessional doctorate program. No conflicts of interest are declared.

Thoughts Beyond Stigma-Implications for Change Reflected in the Voices of Previously Incarcerated Citizens

“…The Scope of the problem CrimRxiv • Thoughts Beyond Stigma-Implications for Change Re ected in the Voices of Previously Incarcerated Citizens 3 More than six hundred thousand people are released annually from state and federal prisons in the United States, and nearly ninety-five percent return to their communities (Sinko et al, 2020). Yet the large majority do not remain.…”

“…Specific to previously incarcerated persons, due to its dominance over personal identity and opportunity, stigma has been studied in numerous ways from its nature to strategies to manage it (Park & Tietjen, 2021). According to Sinko et al (2020), stigma can significantly diminish an individual's sense of worth and thus render the subject powerless to process or combat its effects. A longitudinal study of 180 incarcerated persons conducted by Moore, Stuewig & Tangney (2013) supported this claim.…”

“…This diminished sense of value or worth is often evident in an individual's struggle with mental health and coping and negatively influential on motivation, communitarian behavior and interaction within one's social environment (Moore, Stuewig & Tangney, 2016). Individuals experiencing internalized stigma, defined by Link and Phelan as the acceptance of social devaluation and integration of a denigrated self (2001), often make deliberate efforts to avoid situations or places where they expect to encounter this toxicity; internalized stigma decreases the likelihood of pursuing employment and leisure occupations in one's community (Park & Tietjen, 2021;Sinko et al, 2020).…”

Thoughts Beyond Stigma-Implications for Change Reflected in the Voices of Previously Incarcerated Citizens

“…State and federal prisons in the United States release more than six hundred thousand people annually, and nearly 95% return to their communities (Muentner & Charles, 2020;Sinko et al, 2020). However, the large Journal of Qualitative Criminal Justice & Criminology Thoughts Beyond Stigma-Implications for Change Re ected in the Voices of Previously Incarcerated Citizens 3 majority do not remain.…”

The Role of Social Determinants of Health in Moral Injury: Implications and Future Directions

“…In addition to moral injury stemming from offending, involvement in the justice system itself (e.g., incarceration) may create vulnerability for exposure to new types of PMIEs (e.g., engaging in behavior to maintain safety in prison) [ 42 ]. Discrimination and stigma related to justice involvement [ 43 , 44 ] could also result in heightened exposure to PMIEs and potential moral injury development due to repeatedly experiencing betrayal by others. Better understanding the PMIEs individuals are potentially exposed to while incarcerated and the way in which moral injury may develop is critical for intervening on negative mental and physical health outcomes for this group, which may in turn reduce recidivism.…”