The unseen work of women who care for incarcerated individuals

Cassandra Butler, 43, begins her mornings at 5 a.m. in her Puyallup, Washington home, cherishing the rare quiet. Over a cup of coffee, she meditates and reviews the day she meticulously planned the night before. By mid-morning, she has already logged hours at one of her two primarily remote full-time jobs. Her day includes juggling a government position, work at a restorative justice organization, and the countless personal responsibilities mapped out on her whiteboard, from appointments to errands, often extending into the late evening.

In addition to her work schedule, Butler pursues a Ph.D. in transformative social change at Saybrook University. Her research centers on a topic she knows intimately: the often unseen labor of Black women supporting incarcerated individuals.

Butler has been providing care for loved ones behind bars for nearly twenty years, beginning when her teenage brother, Thomas, was first imprisoned. When he became a father, Butler took on care for her niece and nephew, with her nephew living with her on and off through the years. Alongside raising her own two children, Butler also navigated a previous marriage, directing nearly all her income toward family support. Her monthly expenses for groceries, school, medical bills, and other necessities regularly exceeded $1,600, leaving little room for personal savings. Her dual-income status excludes her from qualifying for government aid.

Research consistently shows that family connections are critical for incarcerated individuals, improving chances of successful reentry and reducing recidivism. Yet systemic barriers often obstruct these connections, disproportionately burdening women, especially women of color, with both emotional and financial strain.

The challenges persist even after a loved one is released. Women frequently take the lead in helping family members reintegrate while navigating societal obstacles and prejudice. This shared struggle often unites women across diverse backgrounds.

Butlers own commitment involves long-distance travel to visit her brother, now housed over 200 miles away, requiring hotel stays and significant expenses, often totaling $800$1,000 per weekend. Annual travel for her niece adds another $600, and ongoing costs for phone calls, digital messages, and prison packages compound the financial toll. Legal expenses and appeals create additional burdens, highlighting that incarceration impacts families far beyond prison walls.

For Butler, the labor extends beyond finances. Her dissertation explores the emotional and caregiving dimensions of supporting incarcerated individuals and welcoming them back into society, often in environments unprepared for their return.

Women of all backgrounds bear a disproportionate share of family-maintenance responsibilities, but systemic inequities make this work particularly intensive for women of color. Jo Kreiter, a San Francisco choreographer, experienced similar challenges during her husbands imprisonment. She became the sole provider for their child while supporting her husbands reentry, relying on family support and community resources to navigate the emotional and practical complexities.

Kreiter channels these experiences into her art, using dance to explore the emotional impact of incarceration. Her performances, such as The Wait Room and If I Give You My Sorrows, examine the experiences of women with incarcerated loved ones, blending acrobatic performance with social justice narratives and storytelling from formerly incarcerated individuals. These works highlight both the isolation imposed by incarceration and the resilience of those who support loved ones through it.

Butler also emphasizes the lack of resources for emotional and mental health support for families during incarceration and reentry. While basic needs like housing and employment are often addressed, emotional and relational challenges remain underserved. According to Essie Justice Group, 86 percent of surveyed women reported significant emotional impacts from a loved ones incarceration, rising to 94 percent when the loved one was a partner.

Addressing only the surface-level needs is insufficient; the underlying emotional labor remains largely invisible. Butlers work highlights the necessity of recognizing and supporting the holistic efforts of women who sustain families affected by incarceration, emphasizing that true care involves addressing both tangible and emotional needs.

Author: Grace Ellison