Families and Incarceration

Abstract

This chapter provides a detailed ethnographic examination of the ripple effects of incarceration on families in urban areas, particularly focusing on the experiences of African American families. Drawing on a three-year study, it highlights how the U.S. criminal justice system’s reliance on incarceration disproportionately affects not only individuals but also their families and communities. Incarceration results in significant financial strain, emotional distress, and the erosion of family structure. The absence of fathers due to incarceration reshapes gender norms, destabilizes relationships, and diminishes the resources available to children, leaving families more vulnerable to poverty and social isolation. The social silence around incarceration, driven by stigma, further isolates these families. As a result, mass incarceration contributes to a deep social transformation, which not only affects individual households but also extends into communities, particularly those already marginalized. The chapter calls for a reevaluation of policies that remove offenders from their social networks, advocating for approaches that keep individuals connected to their families and communities.

Keywords: criminal law, families, incarceration, anthropology, ethnography, collateral consequences, family structure, family life

JEL Classification: K42, I31, J12, J18, J15, H53