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Elijah Taylor
Dr. Edwardo Perez
INRW- 0399- 21023
February 2,2025
The Psychological Impact of Incarceration Among Fathers
In as fathers and felons: Explaining the effects on current and recent incarceration,
Kristin Turney, Christopher Wildeman, and Jason Schnittker these authors go into detail
explaining in depth the relationship between incarceration and depression specifically among
fathers, they use a theory known as “stress process” to argue that incarceration acts as a primary
stressor that effects and hinders multiple aspects of life such as time away from family or not
being able to provide, Leading to significant mental health issues and consequences. They point
out that incarceration is not just legal punishment but also a damaging experience that leads to
long- term psychological stress.
The study presses on the role certain stressors that incarcerated individuals face such as
loss of employment, being separated from family, and facing financial problems, all of which can
add to the risk of depression. They also go into detail discussing that recent incarceration and
returning to society can be more stressful than being locked up. Former inmates face judgement,
struggle to find jobs, and often feel isolated from their communities making it harder to develop
relationships making it harder for them to get adjusted or involved in anything going on in their
life outside of prison, again, also increasing the possibility of depression.
The study also focuses on fathers, showing that incarceration adds extra pressure because
it makes it difficult for them to be supportive and engaged with their children. Many fathers want
to be involved in their kids life but have a hard time trying to figure out how and how to engage
especially depending on the reason why they got locked up or even how to feel like a father and
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still raise and connect with their children and due to the financial and emotional struggles on
being incarcerated it can lead to feelings of Guilt, stress, fear, and hopelessness. Which can also
contribute to depression.
In conclusion the author suggest that mental health support should be as big a priority in
the criminal justice as anything else. They argue that addressing the emotional and psychological
effects of incarceration could help people in their transition into society and give more of chance
to these former inmates to be successful. Overall, this article highlights how prison doesn’t only
affect the people doing the time but also the families and communities, making mental health an
important issue to consider in discussion about criminal justice reform.
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Works cited€SocietyandMentatu2.OR,
Turney,Kristin,Christopher Wildeman, and Jason Schnittker. “As Fathers and Felons:
Explaining the effects of current and recent incarceration on Major Depression.”
Society and mental health, vol. 2, no.3, 2012 pp.204-222. JSTOR,
www.jstor.org/stable/41725232