Advancing Corrections Journal - Edition #20 - Scholarly Reflections on Core Considerations for Correctional Practice | Article 12 (ACJ20-A012)

Article 12: Correctional Strategies to Mitigate the Impact of a Loved One’s Incarceration on Women’s Health and Wellbeing (ACJ20-A012) by Megan Comfort and Keeonna Harris

https://doi.org/10.65264/QJUJ8399

Abstract

Decades of robust research clearly establishes that caring for incarcerated loved ones adds considerable stress, anxiety, and hardship to women’s lives, with important implications for their health and wellbeing. Although incarceration is a complex and multi-systemic issue, correctional systems can enact concrete strategies to ease this burden and help protect women’s health. These include facilitating communications between women and their incarcerated loved ones, providing ways for women to know that their loved one is safe and well, making visitation more family-friendly and supportive of health-promoting activities, and removing financial barriers to staying in touch with loved ones.

Keywords: Incarceration, jail, prison, women, family, caregiving

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Authors

Megan Comfort

Senior Fellow, RTI International, United States

Megan Comfort is a senior fellow with RTI International's Public Health Research and Social Policy department. Her work centers on understanding pathways to promote equity, justice, and wellbeing for people involved with the criminal legal system and their loved ones.

Keeonna Harris

Postdoctoral Scholar, University of Washington, United States

Keeonna Harris (she/her) is a creative nonfiction writer, and abolitionist scholar, whose work centers the experiences of Black women. Her memoir "Mainline Mama" debuted in 2025 from Amistad Press. She is currently a Postdoctoral Scholar at the University of Washington.

Advancing Corrections Journal - Edition #20 - Scholarly Reflections on Core Considerations for Correctional Practice | Article 12 (ACJ20-A012)

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