No Cover Image

Journal article 97 views 2 downloads

Learning from disrupted connections: the impact of COVID-19 on relational and professional support in the female criminal justice system

Laura Broome Orcid Logo, Rachael Jayne Dagnall, Tara Naomi Emery-Baumber, Danielle George, Iduna Shah-Beckley

The Journal of Forensic Practice

Swansea University Author: Laura Broome Orcid Logo

  • Learning from Disrupted Connections (AAM).pdf

    PDF | Accepted Manuscript

    Author accepted manuscript document released under the terms of a Creative Commons CC-BY licence using the Swansea University Research Publications Policy (rights retention).

    Download (315.32KB)

Check full text

DOI (Published version): 10.1108/jfp-04-2025-0041

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted connections between justice-involved individuals and their families while straining professional support systems. This study explored the impact of these disruptions within the female criminal justice system, focusing on relational connectedness and examining staff pe...

Full description

Published in: The Journal of Forensic Practice
ISSN: 2050-8794 2050-8808
Published: Emerald 2025
Online Access: Check full text

URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa69782
Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted connections between justice-involved individuals and their families while straining professional support systems. This study explored the impact of these disruptions within the female criminal justice system, focusing on relational connectedness and examining staff perspectives on maintaining and adapting support structures during crisis.The study employed a qualitative approach, conducting interviews with nine UK prison and community-based staff to explore how individuals in the female justice system maintained connections prior to COVID-19, the impact of pandemic restrictions on these connections, and strategies to support continued contact with family, significant others, and external services. A reflexive thematic analysis, using an inductive approach, was applied to identify key themes from the data. The findings highlighted the pandemic’s profound impact in intensifying isolation, severing vital family connections, and exposing critical gaps in professional support. However, they also pointed to meaningful opportunities for positive change - demonstrating how digital solutions can enhance resilience and how enforced distance from harmful influences may offer a foundation for healthier future connections. This work underscores the need for coordinated, long-term support systems to foster connectedness for individuals in and leaving prison, with practical recommendations for enhancing access to housing, employment, and mental health services. By centering staff perspectives, the study offers original insights into strengthening relational connections and refining crisis responses, highlighting underexplored avenues to enhance rehabilitation outcomes in the female justice system
Keywords: COVID-19, Connectedness, Relationships, Family, Reunification, Reintegration
College: Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
Funders: Morgan Advanced Studies Institute (MASI)

Similar Items