Support for Friends and Family Members of Incarcerated Individuals

The aim of this thesis is to investigate and identify communication practices that affect incarcerated individuals and their families, specifically focusing on emotions and family communication patterns. Statistics show that there is a need for this type of research into support for loved ones of incarcerated individuals. This thesis then identifies the uses of theory and concepts related to family communication, emotions, and identity. The thesis also provides an overview of previous research on communication and incarceration, including interdisciplinary research crossing into sociology, as well as social interaction, family studies and more. In conclusion, the thesis argues that prisonization is a concept that impacts more than just the incarcerated individual, but impacts the family as well. This thesis offers the resource guide and resource booklet to assist families on how to raise awareness of interpersonal communicative challenges associated with incarceration