Supporting Families and Children Living in the Shadow of Prisoners

The potential adverse effects of imprisonment on prisoners’ relatives and family still remain largely unexplored. This chapter provides a detailed analysis of the psychosocial impact of imprisonment on the families of detained persons. Starting from the direct experience in a correctional facility in Switzerland, the authors describe how the lives of families tend to change over the time of imprisonment and how this change is influenced by a number of factors. A special focus is attributed to the children of imprisoned parents, as they are often the most vulnerable persons collaterally affected by the experience of imprisonment. After providing a detailed analysis of these problems, the authors identify some important forms of support, including innovative strategies enabled by new information technology, which could be implemented by professionals and NGOs.