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Social support from outside the walls: Examining the role of relationship dynamics among inmates and visitors

Author

Listed:
  • Meyers, Travis J.
  • Wright, Kevin A.
  • Young, Jacob T.N.
  • Tasca, Melinda

Abstract

Prison visitation serves as a critical setting by which prison life intersects with civilian life. Yet, visitation research has produced conflicting findings. Using social support theory, we fill gaps in the literature by exploring three research questions: 1) What forms do relational dynamics and exchanges with visitors take? 2) What inmate characteristics are associated with these different types of dynamics and exchanges with visitors? And, 3) what effect do such experiences have on perceptions of reentry social support?

Suggested Citation

  • Meyers, Travis J. & Wright, Kevin A. & Young, Jacob T.N. & Tasca, Melinda, 2017. "Social support from outside the walls: Examining the role of relationship dynamics among inmates and visitors," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 57-67.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jcjust:v:52:y:2017:i:c:p:57-67
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2017.07.012
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cochran, Joshua C. & Mears, Daniel P., 2013. "Social isolation and inmate behavior: A conceptual framework for theorizing prison visitation and guiding and assessing research," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 41(4), pages 252-261.
    2. Amanda Geller & Irwin Garfinkel & Bruce Western, 2011. "Paternal Incarceration and Support for Children in Fragile Families," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 48(1), pages 25-47, February.
    3. Paterline, Brent A. & Petersen, David M., 1999. "Structural and social psychological determinants of prisonization," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 27(5), pages 427-441, September.
    4. Altheimer, Irshad, 2008. "Social support, ethnic heterogeneity, and homicide: A cross-national approach," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 36(2), pages 103-114, May.
    5. Orrick, Erin A. & Worrall, John L. & Morris, Robert G. & Piquero, Alex R. & Bales, William D. & Wang, Xia, 2011. "Testing Social Support Theory: A Multilevel Analysis of Recidivism," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 39(6), pages 499-508.
    6. Mitchell, Meghan M. & Spooner, Kallee & Jia, Di & Zhang, Yan, 2016. "The effect of prison visitation on reentry success: A meta-analysis," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 47(C), pages 74-83.
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    Cited by:

    1. McNeeley, Susan, 2025. "In-person and remote video visitation and reentry outcomes among those released during the COVID-19 pandemic," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).
    2. Dominique Moran & Jacob A. Jordaan & Phil I. Jones, 2024. "Toxic Prisons? Local Environmental Quality and the Wellbeing of Incarcerated Populations," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-16, February.
    3. Simonds, Raven, 2024. "An early social support network analysis of men facing reentry," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 94(C).
    4. Nur, Alexandra V. & Krushas, Amber E., 2025. "Outside in: The role of visitation on within-prison and post-release behavior," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).
    5. Junvil A. Insong & Jose F. Cuevas Jr., 2021. "Ways of coping of prisoners' spouses: a structural equation model," Technium Social Sciences Journal, Technium Science, vol. 17(1), pages 486-500, March.
    6. Fahmy, Chantal, 2021. "First weeks out: Social support stability and health among formerly incarcerated men," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).
    7. Berghuis, Maria & Nieuwbeerta, Paul & Palmen, Hanneke & Sentse, Miranda & van Hazebroek, Babette & van Ginneken, Esther, 2022. "Visitation patterns and post-release offending: Exploring variations in the timing, rate, and consistency of prison visits," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).

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