Abstract
Holding On: Family and Fatherhood During Incarceration and Reentry is a must-read for anyone interested in families, relationships, fatherhood, and the trying effects on each of incarceration. It is a seminal, deeply thoughtful, and methodical book that sets the stage for what is possible when the realms of criminological studies and family studies converge. In Holding On, the authors examine the experiences of both incarcerated or reentering fathers and their partners or co-parents. McKay et al. emphasize the need to study the family, not solely as a unit of measurement but as a constellation made up of various – and often different – perspectives. Rooted in the findings from a longitudinal, mixed-methods, multi-site family study, that is commendable in itself, the authors delve into the complex realities facing current and former prisoners and their partners and how their relationship with self, one another, and their children change due to constant reminders of time spent behind bars. Moreover, the authors do so accessibly, designing the book for diverse audiences and to be easily consumed in a mere sitting.
While others claim “research has done a better job showing that incarceration matters rather than why incarceration matters,” Holding On digs deep into the question of ‘why’ incarceration matters (Massoglia & Pridemore, 2015, p. 303). By exploring survey and interview responses, each chapter provides a rich exploration of the findings, complemented by participant stories, a review of existing literature, and digestible graphs that capture discoveries of importance, including the similarities and divergences in perspectives of parties in each relationship. The ‘why’ is also considered through thoughtful and proactive considerations for future research and practice. Holding On is more than a book about a research study as the reader is drawn into a world of understanding and instilled into a genuine desire to know more and do more in support of families affected by incarceration and reentry.
Holding On as a study, and the subsequent monograph is ambitious in its presentation of a complex array of findings that presents deeply intimate realities as experienced by those in relationships while incarcerated or while experiencing the incarceration of another. Both were “designed to develop a deeper understanding of the experiences of families impacted by incarceration,” which, although no small feat (p. 107), is completed remarkably. The outcome is a powerful and profound narrative of why incarceration – especially through a family lens – matters, not only to those who experience it but also to researchers, service providers, and policymakers. Serving as a reminder of the human experience of those behind bars and their families who anxiously or apprehensively await their release into the community with a sense of humility and undeniable humanity, the authors amplify often silenced voices that portray a complex reality supported by methodologically rigorous datasets (as a bonus, the datasets are available and accessible for public use). The extent of the data collected throughout this study, thanks to the participation of nearly 2000 individuals for up to three years, is truly commendable.
The story of incarceration is merely the tip of the iceberg, as the authors unveil dynamic subtopics below the surface, including couple relationships, intimate partner violence, reentry success, and family-strengthening programs.
Though many studies focus on the prisoners or their families, the authors engaged both incarcerated or reentering fathers and their partners or co-parents while continuously emphasizing that one voice does not tell the whole story. For instance, they unpack perspectives for both sides, eyeing carefully how individual experiences and perspectives and the meaning each participant derives from incarceration can diverge, especially regarding sensitive topics, like intimate partner violence. They emphasize the need to protect, but also to limit engagement with, partners, for instance, drawing attention to how some victims of intimate partner violence may choose not to divulge their experience for fear of renewed incarceration or greater challenges during reentry (see below). Ultimately, each study participant had their own views that may or may not align with their partner’s views on the same topic. The differing views also changed over time, stressing the importance of longitudinal studies that include both prisoner and family member voices as relationships evolve.
One example explored in Chapter 4 is intimate partner violence. Study findings revealed that the two members of the couple “often provided different accounts of abuse in their relationships, particularly when it came to frequent or severe physical and sexual violence” (p. 76). While some women reported frequent controlling-behavior victimization, their male partners often did not report their role as perpetrators of the controlling behavior. Most compelling here is the expressed transparency around research limitations, as women, in particular, were acutely aware of the potential ramifications for disclosing the presence of abuse in the household, including the re-imprisonment of their partners. One female study participant “explained how carefully she considered her responses to our questions about behaviors that could have caused her partner to be incarcerated if his parole officer had been notified” (p. 83). The findings are not immune to the stigma that plagues families affected by incarceration or family violence and instead draws attention to the many factors impacting family reunification post-incarceration and the trials and tribulations lacing experiences where a family member is imprisoned and later released.
While Holding On includes many research highlights, most notable is the aforementioned presence of family voices strategically woven into each chapter. Using qualitative methods, the authors spoke, listened, and learned from families. Thus, they provided a platform for family voices to be heard and understood through relevant, ethical research while also proactively chipping away at the stigma of incarceration. The anecdotes and quotes from study participants are powerful and remind the reader of the individuals behind the data; the graphs represent lived and living experiences – a family's life story. The authors are successful in their ambitious attempt to present all sides of the incarceration experience while also providing a comprehensive review of prior research that sets the stage for unpacking their current results. Indeed, the monograph is designed as an easy read, a page turner at that, but also can serve as a text for any comprehensive examination where one is striving to grasp the literature on families and prisons. Thus, the book is multi-purposeful, a welcome addition to any class on incarceration at any and all levels but would also serve a general audience and likely be a welcomed read for those experiencing a loved one's incarceration.
One of the strengths of a book of this magnitude is the authors’ recognition that the book cannot be all things to everyone and that “change ain't going to happen overnight” (p. 88). Their multidimensional approach to understanding reentry engages well with the field of community correctional services and builds on knowledge of parole experiences as well as barriers and supports for the return to the community after imprisonment – always with a family-oriented lens. The authors recognize that family is both a protective and, at times, a risk factor for reentry and that the struggles of reentry are complex, wide-ranging, and stem well beyond family reunification to include employment, abstinence, and pathways toward desistance.
At the same time, the authors are always candid and forthcoming about the limitations of their research, despite the wealth of information contained within each page. As such, the authors build on existing literature on family experiences of incarceration, strengthening the depth of their narrative. They speak to what little research exists on what influences parenting after prison, how parenting might influence the prisoner's reintegration into the family and community, or the long-term effects of incarceration on parenting and, in particular, the father-child relationship. Though this study did not address every knowledge gap, it lays a strong foundation for future research to build upon – creating knowledge gaps by exerting and demonstrating an admirable grasp of the literature and thus identifying future research needs. Nevertheless, despite the complexity of the topic and the sheer volume of the data collected, Holding On showcases why studying both sides of the coin – the prisoner side and the family side – is essential to truly understand the human experience and impacts of incarceration and reentry.