Predicaments of married couples behind bar and family adversity: focus on wolaita zone, sodo correctional institution

Abstract

The incarcerated spouses in correctional centre and the system of handling detainee during imprisonment by prison institution create significant influence on marital relationship. However, limited research studies have been conducted on the effect of imprisonment on inmates and their family. The existing studies have been focused on detainee health and human right matters. These studies give greater emphases for prisoners and human right handling rather emotional and social cost of imprisonment. Therefore, this study has investigated the predicaments of married couples behind bar and family adversity in Sodo correctional institution. The study employed descriptive cross-sectional survey approximate longitudinal survey research design. Thus, both probable and non probable sampling techniques were used for data collection. Accordingly, data were collected from families of prisoners, detainees, and correctional administration staff through survey, observation, indepth interview, key informant interview, and focus group discussion. Moreover, the collected data were analysed by using qualitative and quantitative method of analysis. To confirm the issue of validity and reliability as well as trustworthiness, the research employed split-half method internal consistency, pilot test and David H. Olson Family Adaptability Cohesion Evaluation Scales (FACES III) to measure the intimacy prisoners and their families. The study found conjugal visitation as essential tool to stabilizing marital relation. However, the problems such as less time allocated, overcrowding, and low facility were bureaucratic barriers for the practice of conjugal visit. The research study also revealed incarceration of spouses caused livelihood adversity of family, emotional detachment and social stigmatization which affected the wellbeing both prisoners and their families. The discussion part also gives emphasis on substantiating the research finding with previous studies of prisoners and family relation. The study implicated the contribution of the research for the concern of sociology of prison in Ethiopia. The study finally concluded by suggesting future research direction, stakeholders and prison administration should due consideration to married couples problems for the improvement of rehabilitation program in general.