Lives in Focus plans to cover an event at Rutgers that has a similar ring to it: “Behind Bars: The Impact of Incarceration on Women and Their Families”

While our work is based on journalism-style interviews, photographs, audio and video, this conference convenes a group of academics and practitioners to explore the impact and legal implications of incarceration on women and their families at the 2007 symposium of the Women’s Rights Law Reporter at Rutgers School of Law–Newark.

I urge those interested in the topic to attend. The conference will take place from 12:30 – 4 pm on Wednesday, March 7, in the law school’s Baker Trial Courtroom. More info on their website.

Professor Brenda V. Smith of Washington College of Law, American University, will be the keynote speaker for the first panel, which will focus on women’s issues while incarcerated.

Professor Philip Genty of Columbia Law School will keynote the second panel. This panel will consider the impact of a woman’s imprisonment on her family.

click image for audio slideshow

When a lover is freed from jail after many years, the anticipation of the reunion can hold more pleasure than the reality. Take the case of Dannette Giglio, a 56-year-old woman, who waited faithfully for Orlando, her fiance, after he was incarcerated for six years for possession of stolen property and endangerment.

Just months after his release last year, their relationship turned into a grim shadow of what Dannette had expected. Orlando, 44, had trouble adjusting to freedom, says Dannette. His job search led no where. The couple began to argue and fight. In December, when we went to interview Dannette, Orlando had just stormed out of her apartment. She said she had called the police because he had threatened to kill her.

Orlando moved to Virginia, says Dannette, where he lives with his mother. Despite the turmoil, she clings to the hope that it had been worth waiting for him for six years. She said she plans to visit him in Virginia to patch up their relationship.

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS: What keeps you standing by your loved one when he or she is released from prison? Where would you draw the line for supporting him or her?

[Use the comments feature below or call (646) 867-1891 to leave an audio message.]

George crossed a line that even hardened criminals and unrepentant murderers find repulsive. About seven years ago, he drove to a mall in New York state to meet a 15-year-old girl, even booking a room at a local motel. He was surprised and snared, instead, by a state trooper.

George was incarcerated for three years for possession and attempted distribution of child pornography. Needless to say, his crime tore his family apart.

In this interview, George, 52, recounts his life prior to his crime, his close encounters as a sex offender in prison, his attempt to re-establish family bonds and make new friends, and his constant fear that someone will “out” him.

• The Complete Interview (31:02)

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS: How would you help a family member who has served time for this type of crime?

[Use the comments feature below or call (646) 867-1891 to leave an audio message.]

Call and leave a message at (646) 867-1891 telling us the ways in which having a family member in prison has affected your life.

Please share the phone number with people you know in prison or friends who have loved ones in prison who would like to tell us about their family experiences.

If you are in prison, what are your thoughts on how your incarceration has affected your family?

The audio recording will be posted on the project Website.

Remember to also give us the following information:

1. For what crime was your family member convicted?

2. How long is the sentence?

3. In which prison is he or she incarcerated?

You have 10 minutes of recording time.

Please leave your name and phone number. This information will not be published but we may contact you if we need any clarifications.

Thank you. We look forward to hearing from you.

This project examines the impact on family relations and dynamics when one or more member of a family is incarcerated. How do some families overcome the separation, financial strain, social stigma and guilt while others crumble? Why is there a greater likelihood that a child of someone who is in prison will also end up in jail at some point? How do society, politics or special interests help or hinder family relations?

For example, many states currently allow telephone companies to penalize inmates and their families by charging a staggering connection surcharge (about $3) and higher per minute rates (upto 16 cents) for collect phone calls–—a regressive toll in an age of unlimited local and long distance calling. This at a time when research and experience shows that inmates who stay in touch with their families are likelier to have a smooth transition back to civil society when released.How do such obstacles impact the relationship between a parent and child (both the parent who remains at home and the one in prison)? Between husband and wife? Between siblings? How are family relations re-established when a prisoner is released? What are the unforeseen consequences of being released? What efforts do inmates make to stay in touch from within prison walls?

Lives in Focus is NOT questioning the guilty verdict that sent people to prison. We also recognize that many crimes upset the lives of others–in extreme cases even depriving families of their own loved ones. We do believe, however, that it is important to document and be aware of the repercussions that imprisonment has on an inmate’s family, a large and growing population in America.