Experienced Severity of Imprisonment Among Fathers and Non-Fathers

Abstract

Objectives Even though 90% of the prison population is male, fatherhood among prisoners is an overlooked topic. Previous studies suggest that experienced severity of detention is different between fathers and non-fathers in prison because there is a unique deprivation strain related to fatherhood. There are criminological arguments and arguments in the legal context why we need more knowledge on the experience of detention by incarcerated fathers. Methods We studied longitudinal data of 785 males in pre-trial detention in the Netherlands from the nationwide Prison Project study population: 329 fathers were compared with 456 non-fathers for experienced severity, adjustment patterns (i.e. mental distress and misconduct), and deprivations strains. Results We found differences between fathers and non-fathers, both in adjustment and deprivation strains. Fathers reported less adjustment problems and different deprivation strains than non-fathers. Missing children during pre-trial detention was associated with depressive behavior (β = 0.158, p < 0.005) and anxiety among fathers (β = 0.128, p < 0.05). Conclusions Our results underline the importance of designing interventions for fathers in prison and educating sentencers about this topic. Proportional sentencing of fathers in the criminal justice system could only be validated as long as sufficient attention will be paid to their unique deprivation strain, which is, missing their children. During pre-trial detention, care for the child-father relation may not only lead to father's emotional wellbeing during pre-trial detention, but may also lead to strengthened family bonds and children's wellbeing on the long term.

Antecedents of subjective severity of detention and perceived procedural justice

“…In line with this expectation, convicted individuals with a partner or married individuals were found to experience their detention as more severe (Crank & Brezina, 2013;Raaijmakers et al, 2017). However, other conventional ties such as parental status, educational level, employment status, and homelessness were not consistently found to be significantly related to the subjective severity of detention (Crank & Brezina, 2013;Raaijmakers et al, 2017;Reef & Dirkzwager, 2019). Perceived procedural justice is related to whether individuals feel heard and respected (Beijersbergen et al, 2016;Tyler, 2001).…”

Meetings between victims and offenders suffering from a mental disorder in forensic mental health facilities: a qualitative exploration of their subjective experiences

“…The latter is known to be a protective factor, as is having a solid social network (de Vogel et al, 2011). In addition, interventions in prisons for offenders to fulfil their role as fathers are associated with a higher quality of life during imprisonment and (indirectly) with protecting for recidivism (Reef et al, 2018;Reef & Dirkzwager, 2020). It could be recommended that in forensic mental health settings also this aspect is given more attention, through re-establishing contact in cases where children are the victims.…”

Incarcerated Fathers and Their Children in The Netherlands: Demographic and Detention Factors That Affect the Father–Child Relationship: A Secondary Analysis

“…Also, fathers from this group were typically younger compared to fathers in the general population (31.3 vs 43.3). Reef and Dirkzwager (2020) found incarcerated fathers to be older than incarcerated nonfathers (36.5 vs 26.2). In addition, fathers in pretrial detention more often had an ethnic rather than a Dutch background (43% vs 27%), and were incarcerated more frequently than nonfathers (3.8 vs 2.2), but less for violent offenses and more for drug offenses.…”

“…In this regard, it is not known whether fathers in prison differ from incarcerated nonfathers. There is evidence, however, that incarcerated fathers experience the severity of their imprisonment differently from incarcerated nonfathers (Reef & Dirkzwager, 2020). Fathers in prison have fewer adjustment issues, but missing their children can cause depression and anxiety.…”