HAPPY 50TH ANNIVERSARY,

SANA!
Supporting ‘family support’:
Reintegration Challenges for
Family Members of
Returning Ex-Offenders.

Dr Timothy SIM
Associate Professor
Head, Master of Counselling
An Integrative Review
 Integrative Review
1. Provides a review and synthesis on both
• Quantitative and qualitative empirical research,
• Methodological or theoretical studies of a specific topic.

2. In our case: Grey and Black literature.

• Grey literature: Books and government reports.
• Black literature: Refereed international journal articles
Integrative Review
• Uses a broad approach and diverse sampling
(Toronto & Remington, 2020; Whittemore et al.,
2014).
• Draws conclusions from diverse sources
Integrative Review
• Provides a more comprehensive overview of the
literature and a fuller understanding of a complex
issue.
• One of the most popular knowledge synthesis
methods that fulfill research purposes in developing
theories or frameworks, or establishing the
implications of policy decisions, based on the
integration of both qualitative and quantitative
studies (Kastner et al., 2016; Tricco et al., 2016).
 Integrative Review

PRISMA: Preferred Reporting Items for

Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses

• See Figure 1
• Selected 6,635 records from 8
authoritative databases
• Found a total of only 43 records after a
systematic selection
• Conducted content analysis using an
inductive method with a focus on manifest
content
• Used a computer-assisted qualitative data
analysis package (Nvivo).

Presentation Title | 7
Some Observations
1. There is only a small volume of literature available.
2. The earliest literature on reintegration challenges dated 2011
3. There are few researchers such as:
• Cheliotis, L. K., & McKay, T. (2021). Uneasy partnerships: Prisoner re-entry, family problems
and state coercion in the era of neoliberalism. Punishment & society, p.146247452110061.
• Kilmer, A., & Leon, C. S. (2017). Nobody worries about our children: Unseen impacts of sex
offender registration on families with school-age children and implications for desistance.
Criminal Justice Studies, 30(2), 181-201.
• Lumar, 2011: Exploring the implications of ex-offender reentry on family member
functioning utilizing the double ABCX model of family stress in a mixed methods approach
• Zilney & Anne, 2020: Impacts of Sex Crime Laws on the Female Partners of Convicted
Offenders Never Free of Collateral Consequences
4. This is apparently a relatively new area of research.
Analysis Theoretical Framework
Reintegration Challenges for Family Members of
Returning Offenders
Analysis Theoretical
Framework
Reintegration Challenges for Family
Members of Returning Offenders

Ecological Model proposed by

Uri Bronfenbrenner to guide data analyses.

Presentation Title | 10
2022 CARE Network Summit 18 August 2022

Focused on the reintegration challenges for family members at

EXO-system & MACRO-system levels

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=585944283025592&ref=sharing
Analysis Theoretical
Framework
Reintegration Challenges for Family
Members of Returning Offenders

Today, in view of time and the audience present,

we would only highlight the reintegration
challenges for family members related to the
MICRO-SYSTEM AND
MESSO-SYSTEM.

Presentation Title | 12
MICRO-SYSTEM
• MICRO DEFINITION: A microsystem is a setting with
particular physical characteristics, resources,
patterns of activities, roles, and interpersonal
relations experienced by the respective developing
person.
• A key feature of this definition is the word
experience. People function in microsystems such
as a family, workplace, friendship group, and
religious or community social group.
MESSO DEFINITION
• A mesosystem comprises the interrelations
among two or more settings in which the
developing person actively participates.
• A key feature of this definition is the word
“caught in between (two settings)”.
• The demands of one setting, such as work,
may require so much time and effort that the
person is not able to meet expectations in
another setting.
Presentation Outline
Reintegration Challenges for Family
Members of Returning Offenders
1. Overview of gaps in the
literature on reintegration
challenges for family members
2. Review specific reintegration
challenges for family members
3. Summary
4. Generation of some
recommendations for policies
and practices

Presentation Title | 15
Outline 1. Overview of gaps in the
literature on reintegration
Reintegration challenges for family members
Challenges for 2. Review specific reintegration
Family Members
of Returning
challenges for family members
Offenders 3. Summary
• 4. Generation of some
recommendations for policies
and practices
RECOMMENDATIONS
• With your neighbour…
• Based on the above summary
and results kindly write down
what policy or practice
recommendations you have in
mind to serve the family
members of returning ex-
offenders at the micro-
and/or messo-system level.
• This could be focused on
parents, fathers, mothers,
siblings, brothers, sisters,
children, daughters, and sons.
• Use the paper available in
your tote-bag
Overview of LITERATURE GAPS
 Reintegration Challenges for Family Members of Returning
Offenders
Family Micro-System Messo-System Remarks
Members
Family 3 0 NIL for Messo-system
Parents
Mothers
Overview of GAPS
8
3
5
1
Fathers 0 0 NIL: Micro- & Messo-systems
Siblings 7 0 NIL for Messo-system
Sisters 4 0 NIL for Messo-system
Brothers 0 0 NIL: Micro- & Messo-systems
Spouses 6 3
Wives 33 4
Husbands 0 0 NIL: Micro- & Messo-systems
Children 25 5
Daughters 1 0 NIL for Messo-system
Sons 0 0 NIL: Micro- & Messo-systems
 Overview of GAPS
Reintegration Challenges for Family Members of Returning Offenders

1. There is little literature on various groups of respective

family members at the Micro- and Messo-systems.
2. There is more literature focusing on the micro-system,
and less literature on the messo-system.
3. Moreover, there is no literature about the reintegration
challenges on several male stakeholders:
a.Fathers
b.Brothers
c. Sons
d.Husbands
Specific reintegration challenges
For various family stakeholder groups of returning ex-
offenders according to micro- and messo-system levels:
a. Overall family
b. Parents
c. Siblings
d. Spouses and partners, and
e. Children
 FAMILY IN GENERAL

STAKEHOLDER GROUP MICRO MESSO

FAMILY
Family Feeling shame and stigma (2)
Stress due to offender and victim
in the same family (1)

Examples:
• Shame and stigma: Registrant families frequently reported feelings of stigma and shame, not just
experienced by the registrant or their partner, but also by their children or cast upon the family
as whole (Kilmer & Leon, 2017).
• Stress: In a different variation of cross-impacts, Jean highlighted in her written narrative the
often unrecognized crossover when the offender and victim are in the same family. Coupled with
the strain experienced by having an incarcerated father, this results in stress that impacts all
members of the family (Kilmer & Leon, 2017).
FAMILY REINTEGRATION
CHALLENGES: SUMMARY

• Reintegration challenges found on MICRO-

system level only
• Emotional challenges: Shame, stigma, and stress
(3 x ‘S’)
 PARENTS
STAKEHOLDER
GROUP MICRO MESSO
Fear for children being socially
Stressed assisting ex-offenders, especially
rejected due to returning ex-offenders
during house arrest (3)
and offence (2)
Lose out being a caring parent for
Difficulty adjusting to the ex-offender's
other children because of attention
instituitionalised behaviors (1)
for ex-offender children (1)
Worried about ex-offenders’ unstable emotion
(1)
Guilty feeling of not living up to their roles as Experience social isolation from
parent (1) friends and family due to reluctance
Adjustment in family structures and roles due to to reveal offences of children (1)
Parents returning ex-offenders (1)
Feeling stressed and guilty of
Financial resources constraints and
neglecting other children due to
burden (2)
Mother return of ex-offenders (1)
PARENTS
• Micro - Stress: In the parent group, all reported that assisting the ex-
offender was stressful and that more community resources were
needed to assist both the ex-offender and the family member
supporting the ex-offender (Lumar, 2011).
• Messo - Social isolation: Not telling certain friends and relatives
creates distance and superficiality in relationship’. This statement
suggests that both Jacob and his son have experienced social
distancing and isolation, including experiencing distance from other
members of their family, as a result of choosing not to reveal
information about his son’s registrant status (Kilmer & Leon, 2017).
 PARENTS REINTEGRATION
CHALLENGES:

SUMMARY
a. Parents experience many emotional
demands at both micro and macro levels:
stress, guilt, fear
a. Experiencing guilt & stress at
micro-system level as a parent who
failed, and at messo-system level
of neglecting other children upon
the return of ex-offenders
b. Specifically, these emotional demands may
be related to financial resources, balancing
other family needs & conflicts involving
other family members), adjustment of
family structures and roles, and dealing
with the returning ex-offenders.
c. Little known about father’s specific
reintegration challenges

Presentation Title | 26
SIBLINGS
STAKEHOLDER
MICRO MESSO
GROUP
Emotionally anxious, drained and stressed
providing emotional support to ex-offenders (3)
Distrust ex-offenders particularly with addiction
issues (2)
Feeling ashamed (1)
Unresolved relationship conflicts with ex-offenders
Siblings (1)
Fear and concern about potential physical and
Sister psychological harm when ex-offenders return (4)
SIBLINGS
• Micro - Emotionally drained and stressed: More than half of siblings
reported that they worried about the ex-offender meeting basic
needs and providing emotional support was emotionally draining
and reported that supporting the ex-offender lead to stress and that
providing emotional support became stressful over time (Lumar,
2011).
• Micro - Distrust: The siblings who had an ex-offender family
member with addiction problems were more likely to mistrust the
ex-offender or believe that the ex-offender would continue to
abstain from drug use after the honeymoon period wore off (Lumar,
2011).
SIBLINGS REINTEGRATION
CHALLENGES: SUMMARY
a. Siblings experience mainly emotional challenges:
Shame, stress (anxiety), distrust and drained,
b. Unresolved relationship and conflicts
c. Sister is fearful and concerned about potential
physical and psychological harm
d. No messo-system challenges
SPOUSE
MICRO MESSO
Frustration, resentment, and stress with ex- Judged by other family members
offender returning (1) for supporting ex-offenders (2)

Feeling ashamed of spouse being an ex- Stigmatised by community

offender (1) members

Difficulty in supporting ex-offender over time

with unmet needs (1)

Facing severe financial hardship upon the

return of the ex-offender (1)

Increased relationship conflicts with ex-

offenders (1)

More parenting conflict with ex-offenders (1)

SPOUSE Reintegration Challenges
• Micro – Difficulty over time: All of the spouses conveyed the
following: Supporting the ex-offender became difficult to maintain
over time… … as the ex-offender returned with several unmet needs
(Lumar, 2011).
• Messo – Judged by others: The spouses felt ashamed of the ex-
offender; spouses felt judged by other family members for
supporting the ex-offender; and, spouses found it difficult to help the
ex-offender within their family (Lumar, 2011).
SPOUSE REINTEGRATION
CHALLENGES: SUMMARY

a. In addition to 3 x S (stress, shame, and stigma), spouses experience

frustration and resentment, there is frustration, resentment
b. Difficulty in supporting, severe financial hardship, increased
relationship conflicts
c. Messo-system: Judged and stigmatized by other family members
and community members for supporting ex-offenders, and more
parenting conflicts
 WIFE
MICRO MESSO
Marital conflicts & violence (7) Relationship strains and stresses with family and
friends (2)

Coping with multi problems (physical, mental, Feeling shame being labelled as wife of ex-
and social adjustments) (7) offender in the community (1)

Financial burden and adjustments (6) Struggles with multiple roles as wife, mother,
worker, student (1)
Coping with imprisonment residual effects and
diverting ex-offenders from old ways (6)

Parenting conflicts with ex-offenders (4)

Role adjustments (3)
WIFE Reintegration Challenges
• Micro-Marital Conflict & Violence: This is all the more important when one
considers that domestic violence was highly prevalent among families in the
Multi-site Family Study. Half of them, for example, reported physical partner
violence in the first six months after the male partner returned from prison
(McKay et al., 2018).
• Micro-Messo challenges: P9 is experiencing worry and fear associated with the
future of her marriage. Her fear stems from: (a) fear that she will be forced to
relinquish her power and authority, (b) fear that she has to resume her former
role where she was vulnerable, passive and submissive and (c) fear that her
freedom and independence will be limited and (d) fear that her social
relationships will change due to her husband needing her time and attention
(Cannady & Capell, 2012).
WIFE REINTEGRTION
CHALLENGES : SUMMARY
a. Marital & Parenting conflicts and violence
b. Multiple problems particularly financial
burdens
c. Adjustments in roles and living with
returning ex-offenders
d. Messo-system: Stress from families, shamed
by community and challenges playing
multiple roles
 FEMALE PARTNER
MICRO MESSO
Emotional stress, difficulties, and devastation (3+1) Stigmatised, harassed, and isolated by
close family members, friends,
neighbours, and co-workers (4)
Severe physical and sexual violence (3) Negative reactions and difficulties from
family members due to reunification
with ex-offenders (2)
Loss of control and space, and accusation of alleged Balance work-life and own adversities
infidelity by ex-offenders due to jealousy and suspicion (3) after partner return (2)

Marginalization of own needs and experiences as they Risk of public condemnation for failing
support ex-offenders (2) to report

High level of health conditions i.e., asthma, hypertension,

anxiety, and depression after partner release (1+1)

Engage in damaging health risk behaviours (Smoking,

drinking and drug abuse) (1)
Multiple problems: Financial difficulties, neglect of other
family members, stigma (1)
FEMALE PARTNER: SUMMARY
a. Stress and stigma
b. Severe physical and sexual violence
c. Health problems and risks (smoking, drinking and drug)
d. Self-sacrifice: space, neglect and bio-psycho-social well being
e. Messo-System: Isolated by close family members, friends, neighbours
and colleagues and larger community; work-life-ex-offender balance
COMPARISON: WIFE &
FEMALE PARTNER

1. Similarity:
a. Both experience violence
b. Both experience multiple problems and role adjustments: financial, psycho-social-health problems
c. At MESSO-system level:
i. Work-life-ex-offender balance
ii. Rejection by family and friends
2. Difference:
a. Wife experience marital and parenting conflicts, not reported for female partner
b. Wife experience challenges in diverting old ways of offenders, not reported for female partner
c. Female partners experience health problems and risks, not reported for wife
 CHILDREN
STAKEHOLDER MICRO MESSO
GROUP
Children experiencing adverse emotions Feeling conflict and loyalty-split
(stress, anger, depression hopelessness, between ex-offender and the
hurt and resentment, drained) toward ex- other caregiving parent (2)
offender parents (12)
Difficulty to re-establish parent-child Problematic dynamics between
relationship due to previous violence, family and foster families (1)
neglect, and alcohol use. (5)
Children at higher risk of behavioural Being sidelined and harassed by
problems and delinquency due to less peers (1)
optimal parenting and parent-child
relationship (6)
Adult children struggle to care for ex- Adult children in conflicts over
offenders over time (2) financial support to ex-offenders
Children (1)
Change in relationship with father due to
relapse into drug use
Daughters
CHILDREN Reintegration Challenges
a. Micro-Adverse emotions: One participant also described feeling burdened
because her previously incarcerated father often said he would kill himself if
he lost the love of his children. She felt obligated to stay connected and to
demonstrate she cared for him whether she wanted to or not. Another
participant resented the ex-offender parent attempting to re-parent the
adult-child after release (Lumar, 2011).
b. Messo-Loyalty split:
a. Family dynamics are problematic as well given that many children will have been under
the care of foster families and these arrangements may continue even after the parent
has been released back into society. If the parent does regain custody or seeks to
become involved in the lives of his or her children, doing so can be difficult (Mears &
Cochran, 2015)
b. Children may feel conflicted about parental loyalty after the father is released from
prison, often worrying about how the father’s return will affect their mothers (Young,
2000).
CHILDREN REINTEGRATION
CHALLENGES: SUMMARY
a. Adverse emotions (stress, anger, depression, hopelessness, hurt
resentment)
b. Difficult to re-establish parent-child due to history
c. Behavioural problems due to less optimal parent-child relationship
& parenting
d. Adult children struggle and stress in caring ex-offender
e. MESSO-SYSTEM:
• TRIANGULATION
• STIGMA
SUMMARY: MICRO SYSTEM
a. 3 x S + I: Stress, stigma, and shame + isolation
b. STRESS experienced by entire family, parents, siblings, spouse,
wife, female partners, and children
c. Experienced a range of intense emotional experience: anger,
depression, hopelessness, hurt resentment
SUMMARY: MESSO SYSTEM
a. Parents and wives caught in between caring ex-offenders and the
other family members in need
b. Wife and female partner struggle with multiple roles and triangulated
between ex-offenders and their own family and friends
c. Children challenged by reestablishing parent-child relationship and
further negatively impacted by it
d. Children caught in between care givers and ex-offenders
RECOMMENDATIONS
• With your neighbour…
• Based on the above summary
and results kindly write down
what policy or practice
recommendations you have in
mind to serve the family
members of returning ex-
offenders at the micro-
and/or messo-system level.
• This could be focused on
parents, fathers, mothers,
siblings, brothers, sisters,
children, daughters, and sons.
• Use the paper available in
your tote-bag
Conclusions
1. No literature or research are found on the reintegration challenges for fathers, husbands,
brothers, and sons of returning offenders
2. Overseas literature on reintegration challenges for family members of returning offenders
focused mainly on sex offender registration. This may be different from our local offender
profile. For example, 67% of offenders comprised drug abuse offenders in 2020, which is
the largest offender population in Singapore prisons.
3. The reintegration challenges may be different in Singapore, given the different political,
cultural, economic, political, corrections and social service systems in Singapore.
Moving On…
• Applying to the MOE Social Sciences Research Thematic
Grant in September 2022: “Reintegration Challenges for
Family Members of Returning Ex-Drug Offenders”
• Working with SSA to develop local interventions that are
locally relevant and respectful
Support one another in the process of serving
with offenders and their families.

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