Caring for those within: caring from the outside

Millions of families have a member who is incarcerated. Incarceration affects not only the individual who is imprisoned but also their significant others, as those ‘outside’ often end up bearing the brunt of the criminal acts committed by those ‘within’. This article examines the experiences, difficulties, and challenges encountered by female partners of male inmates in Malta as seen through the eyes of professionals who support families of the incarcerated. Through qualitative in-depth interviewing with professionals from within the public and voluntary sectors with extensive years of experience in the criminal justice field, the study examines the distinct consequences of incarceration on female partners of male inmates as they strive to care for those ‘within’ from the ‘outside’. The challenges faced by partners/carers are multifactorial as they lead to socio-economic and financial strain, psychological and emotional burden, stigma, isolation, and communication barriers which in turn impact the dynamics of the romantic/caring relationship. They also struggle to navigate through the institutional barriers and process of correctional systems whilst also bearing the burden of care and brunt of relational maintenance. Based on the findings emerging from the study, the paper proposes recommendations for future research and improved policy development in the field within the Maltese context.