Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects
Date of Degree
6-2025
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Program
Political Science
Advisor
Els de Graauw
Subject Categories
American Politics
Keywords
Criminal Justice, Prison, Family
Abstract
This thesis investigates the extended consequences of mass incarceration in the United States, focusing on the social, economic, and psychological impacts on the nuclear families of incarcerated individuals. Through a comprehensive literature review of peer-reviewed studies published between 2000 and 2024, this study highlights how female partners and children of imprisoned men face significant hardships, including emotional trauma, financial instability, and social stigma. These burdens are most acutely experienced by low-income families and communities of color, reflecting broader patterns of structural inequality. The findings underscore how punitive criminal justice policies—especially mandatory minimum sentencing and the War on Drugs—have created ripple effects that reach far beyond prison walls, destabilizing families and perpetuating cycles of poverty and incarceration. The study concludes by calling for systemic reforms in sentencing laws and greater investment in family-centered support services to mitigate these harms and promote long-term social equity.
Recommended Citation
Squiers, Madison, "The Long Arm of the Law: The Far-Reaching Effects of the Carceral State on Families" (2025). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/6246
