In the shadow of gender: Wives of prisoners in Turkey

The experience of having a partner in prison—A systematic review and meta‐ethnography

“…Parenting alone and becoming ‘the father of the family’, ( Bekiroğlu et al, 2022, p.253), increases responsibility, stress, and exhaustion. Parents try to shield their children from the other parent's situation and ‘parent largely on their own’ (Kotova, 2019, p.490).…”

“……I've had my daughter throwing up on the bus on the way there from the heat … [I]t's just ridiculous’ (Halsey & Deegan, 2015, p.142–143). Some participants feel an urge to leave their partner and recognise that imprisonment gives them a reason to leave (Yeboaa et al, 2022), while others feel pressured to stay in the relationship out of concern for what divorce would do to their children (Bekiroğlu et al, 2022). Others focus their attention on the children's needs and ‘even though a woman may be grieving as a “wife,” the demands of the “mother” role lead her to see the children's well‐being as paramount’ (Codd, 2000, p.71).…”

“…(Fang et al, 2021, p.241). There is an experience of being metaphorically imprisoned, which one partner captured well: ‘when my husband was at home, I was free’ ( Bekiroğlu et al, 2022, p.256).…”

“…Some partners will avoid sharing details of their partner's imprisonment with others in their family and/or friend group, portraying the family as ‘well‐ordered’ to avoid disapproval or judgement (Bekiroğlu et al, 2022, p.252). For example:

Everyone should know that I am married.

…”

“…More recent research, which has corroborated earlier findings, has shown that partners experience a range of practical challenges such as increased financial constraints due to parenting alone, extra‐legal expenses, the costs of prison visits and financially supporting the person in prison (Arditti, 2016; Light & Campbell, 2006). Partners also experience loss, stigma, difficulties with housing and childcare, deterioration of relationships, disruptions to family functioning and life course trajectories (Bekiroğlu et al, 2022; Bradshaw & Muldoon, 2020; Chui, 2010; Codd, 2000; Einat et al, 2015; Kotova, 2019; Reeves & Heptinstall, 2011; Yeboaa et al, 2022), in addition to a large array of intense emotions such as grief and sadness, worry and loneliness, anger and confusion, and jealousy and guilt (Bales & Mears, 2008; La Vigne et al, 2005; Song et al, 2018; Turney & Wildeman, 2013). While imprisonment can provide a partner with some relief from violence or disarray (McCarthy & Adams, 2019; Murray & Farrington, 2008; Nesmith & Ruhland, 2008), the findings largely indicate that partners experience a variety of difficulties following the imprisonment of a spouse.…”