The home front: The families of politically motivated prisoners in Northern Ireland

Kieran Mcevoy, David O'Mahony, Carol Horner, Olwen Lyner

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

43 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This article is based upon a survey of partners of politically motivated prisoners 1 in Northern Ireland. It examines issues related to the visiting experience, the maintenance of contact through letters, home leave and release, and the provision of support from extended family, civil society and professional agencies. The authors argue that while the political ideology of prisoners and families is important, it does not insulate them from the practical and emotional difficulties of coping with imprisonment. It is also argued that despite a system of relatively well resourced support offered to prisoners' families in Northern Ireland, the failure of the families of politicals to avail themselves of these services offers important lessons for the process of prisoner release and reintegration as part of the Northern Ireland peace process.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)175-197
Number of pages23
JournalBritish Journal of Criminology
Volume39
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01 Jan 1999

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine
  • Social Psychology
  • Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
  • Law

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