Family reunification after fathers are released from prison: Perspectives on children's adjustment

Abstract

Objective: This qualitative study examined adult perspectives on the adjustments children face through the process of paternal incarceration and eventual release. Background: While the United States leads the world in incarceration, 95% of imprisoned individuals return to community life. Despite poor outcomes for children with incarcerated fathers, less is known as to how they fair after fathers' release. Conceptualizing paternal incarceration and reentry as linked rather than disparate events, this study examines perspectives on family separation, reunification, and children's adjustment when fathers return from prison. Method: The sample consisted of 38 participants (19 previously incarcerated fathers, nine coparenting mothers, and 10 relatives) who shared perspectives on 63 children's adjustments. The semistructured interviews were analyzed via thematic analysis. Results: Two main themes were evident: (a) Paternal incarceration has a lasting toll on children that complicates reunification processes, introduces hurdles to maintaining togetherness, and is tied to changes in children's behaviors; and (b) reentry renews opportunity for father involvement that bolsters resilience despite ongoing systemic vulnerabilities. Conclusion: Postrelease family reunification may present challenges for children's adjustment, though supported transitions may curb some concerns. The findings call for strengths-oriented, needs-focused, and evidence-based reentry strategies that support entire family systems.

Experiences of fatherhood in prison: A thematic analysis of differences between fathers in a family approach programme and a comparison group

“…The negative impact of imprisonment on family life may persist after the parent's release from prison. The process of rebuilding bonds and family reunification after imprisonment can be difficult, particularly for parents who served a long prison sentence and have older children (Muentner and Charles, 2023). Paternal imprisonment has been associated with decreased father involvement after release, in particular among fathers who co-resided with their children before imprisonment (Turney and Wildeman, 2013).…”

Parental incarceration and parent–youth closeness

“…Despite the established complex repercussions of incarceration for relationships between adults, and the possibility that incarceration may alter relationships between parents and children, little is known about these intergenerational relationships during and after incarceration (though see McKay, Comfort, et al, 2018, McKay, Feinberg, et al, 2018; Muentner & Charles, 2022; Siegel, 2011; Turney & Marín, 2022). This is an oversight given the well‐known intergenerational consequences of incarceration for children's well‐being (for reviews, see Murray et al, 2012; Poehlmann‐Tynan & Turney, 2021) and given research that highlights how other forms of family instability—including parental divorce and repartnership—structures relationships between youth and their parents (Amato et al, 2016; King et al, 2015).…”