Youth who return from incarceration often face numerous obstacles including, pre-existing family problems, substance abuse, mental illness, low educational attainment and barriers to employment. Those who reenter during emerging adulthood, a developmental phase occurring between the ages of 18 and 25, face additional challenges as they attempt to take on the responsibilities of adulthood while adjusting to community and family life and meeting the requirements of their release. Since emerging adults typically rely on family members for a significant amount of support, as do returning offenders, the family context of reentry from incarceration during young adulthood must be examined. Prior research has established a relationship between family contextual factors and recidivism, yet studies have also shown that families support returning offenders in ways that are critical to their reintegration, creating a paradox that is not fully understood. Further research is needed into the specific ways that families affect the reentry process for young adults. A qualitative study was conducted to explore the family context of reentry during young adulthood. In-depth interviews were conducted with formerly incarcerated individuals who were released between the ages of 18 and 25 and members of their families. Consistent with prior research, the data presented here reveal that youth who return from incarceration struggle to overcome pre-existing family problems but they also rely on family support in confronting the hurdles of reentry. An explanation for this paradox is offered through a developmental analysis of how youth attempt to resolve family problems as they enter their twenties and capitalize on support networks. An increased psychosocial maturity during this phase allows for a reevaluation and realignment of family ties. As young adults reconstruct their families, they identify and activate the most effective sources of support within their own kin networks. This study identifies specific developmental processes that occur during young adulthood and the distinct mechanisms that lead to improvements in family context. Policy implications involve program strategies aimed at strengthening family relationships, increasing family support by redefining traditional definitions of family and widening support networks, and increasing structural opportunities for returning offenders.
Subject (authority = RUETD)
Topic
Criminal Justice
RelatedItem (type = host)
TitleInfo
Title
Rutgers University Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Identifier (type = RULIB)
ETD
Identifier
ETD_5868
PhysicalDescription
Form (authority = gmd)
electronic resource
InternetMediaType
application/pdf
InternetMediaType
text/xml
Extent
1 online resource (viii, 252 p.)
Note (type = degree)
Ph.D.
Note (type = bibliography)
Includes bibliographical references
Note (type = vita)
Includes vita
Subject (authority = ETD-LCSH)
Topic
Juvenile corrections
Subject (authority = ETD-LCSH)
Topic
Juvenile recidivists
Subject (authority = ETD-LCSH)
Topic
Ex-convicts
Subject (authority = ETD-LCSH)
Topic
Prisoners' families--Effect of imprisonment on
Note (type = statement of responsibility)
by Elizabeth A. Panuccio
RelatedItem (type = host)
TitleInfo
Title
Graduate School - Newark Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Identifier (type = local)
rucore10002600001
Location
PhysicalLocation (authority = marcorg); (displayLabel = Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey)
I hereby grant to the Rutgers University Libraries and to my school the non-exclusive right to archive, reproduce and distribute my thesis or dissertation, in whole or in part, and/or my abstract, in whole or in part, in and from an electronic format, subject to the release date subsequently stipulated in this submittal form and approved by my school. I represent and stipulate that the thesis or dissertation and its abstract are my original work, that they do not infringe or violate any rights of others, and that I make these grants as the sole owner of the rights to my thesis or dissertation and its abstract. I represent that I have obtained written permissions, when necessary, from the owner(s) of each third party copyrighted matter to be included in my thesis or dissertation and will supply copies of such upon request by my school. I acknowledge that RU ETD and my school will not distribute my thesis or dissertation or its abstract if, in their reasonable judgment, they believe all such rights have not been secured. I acknowledge that I retain ownership rights to the copyright of my work. I also retain the right to use all or part of this thesis or dissertation in future works, such as articles or books.