Their study highlights how the reintegration process provokes intense emotions in formerly incarcerated individuals. The authors argue that emotions—often disregarded in correctional settings—are a vital form of knowledge that is systematically subjugated during reintegration. This suppression of emotional knowledge exacerbates the precarious nature of re-entry into society.
The research begins by examining how risk-based frameworks used in reintegration suppress emotional expression. Drawing on interviews and qualitative methods, the authors present findings that illustrate how restrictions related to place, time, and relationships create both emotional and material obstacles to successful reintegration. The anxieties, frustrations, and emotional burdens faced by formerly incarcerated individuals are shaped by these restrictive conditions and by correctional institutions' focus on managing perceived risks.
The authors emphasize that recognizing and addressing the subjugation of emotions is essential for promoting both successful reintegration and the emotional well-being of those re-entering the community. This perspective opens the door to new approaches in supporting formerly incarcerated individuals by considering their emotional experiences as valid and significant.