Effects of incarceration of women on the family system: a case of Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality

Incarceration is a world-wide phenomenon. It is aimed at punishing those who are in conflict with the law while ensuring that they also undergo rehabilitation processes. Whereas one cannot argue that incarceration is inevitable for those in conflict with the law, it is essential to realise that, when a woman is incarcerated, the remaining family unit members are left behind to deal with all the effects of having a family member taken away. It has been observed that there is an increase in the number of incarcerated women. About two-thirds of incarcerated women reported having one or more minor children, and most of them have lived with their children before incarceration compared to 36% of men (Woodard & Copp, 2016). This study aimed to understand the effects of incarceration of women on the family system in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM). The study discussed the effects of women incarceration on their children, spouses/partners and care-givers. The available support services were also explored and the coping mechanisms adopted by these families during this period of incarceration. The study utilised a case study research design which was explorative in nature. The data was collected using semi-structured interviews with 15 participants who included eight children, one spouse, one partner and five care-givers. Bowen’s family system’s theory (1978) was utilised as an epistemological framework for the study. The study's findings revealed that the incarceration of women has a negative impact on the family members left behind. This increases the chances of school drop-out, alternative care placement and even criminal involvement of children themselves. It was also discovered that financial difficulties, infidelity and lack of proper support systems for these families are a challenge that is directly associated with incarceration. The study recommended that more efforts should be made to provide support through governmental, non-governmental and communitybased interventions to the families of incarcerated women to prevent these unintended effects.Thesis (MSW) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 202