Opening the "Black Box": Exploring Enhanced Visitations at a Women's Prison

Authors

Sarah R. Lazzari, Portland State UniversityFollow
Keva Miller, Portland State UniversityFollow
Junghee Lee, Portland State UniversityFollow

Published In

Journal of Social Service Research

Document Type

Citation

Publication Date

10-2019

Abstract

Correctional systems spend considerable resources providing visitations for incarcerated individuals. Researchers have explored whether visitations decrease recidivism, increase prosocial behaviors from those incarcerated, and increase positive outcomes for children of incarcerated parents. Study results are mixed. This qualitative case study examines the perceptions of 89 incarcerated mothers who participated in a unique enhanced visitation event within Oregon’s Department of Corrections. The incarcerated mothers revealed that this particular type of visitation provides mother–child bonding opportunities, are incentives to engage in prosocial behaviors, and challenge negative self-images they have created about themselves and others. Policy, practice, and future research implications related to enhanced visitations within the prison environment are discussed.

Description

© 2018 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

Locate the Document

http://doi.org/10.1080/01488376.2018.1501792

DOI

10.1080/01488376.2018.1501792

Persistent Identifier

https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/29551

Citation Details

Lazzari, S. R., Miller, K. M., & Lee, J. (2019). Opening the “Black Box”: Exploring Enhanced Visitations at a Women’s Prison. Journal of Social Service Research, 45(5), 684–695.