Support4Families: A Proposed Intervention Model to Support Families of Individuals Returning Home From Incarceration

Abstract

Leaving incarceration and returning home (i.e., reentry) affects individuals and their families; 90% of individuals releasing from prison rely on family for critical reentry supports. Although positive family support during this period is empirically linked to an individual’s success, providing support can place a substantial emotional, social, and fiscal toll on family units. Without intervention, positive family support may deteriorate or become negative. This article presents the theoretical and empirical grounding for creating family-focused reentry interventions which target the family members of individuals leaving incarceration to improve the outcomes of both the re-entering individual and the family unit. This article then proposes a family skills training intervention Support4Families, and describes the evidence-driven intervention components of Support4Families. The intervention was developed using preliminary social support research and feedback from family members of formerly incarcerated individuals. Current testing and future research agenda of family support interventions in reentry are also explored.