“So many forms of loss”: Cumulative grief among formerly incarcerated people

Objectives: The review aims to explore nuanced phenomena, compound loss and cumulative grief that previously incarcerated individuals experience because of their incarceration. Hypothesis: Compound loss and cumulative grief manifest in multiple ways that differ based on the individual and their experiences before, during, and after incarceration. Methods: The study adopted a secondary research design using transcripts from interviews with individuals on parole that were collected from a previous study conducted by Dr. Susan Dewey and reanalyzed for the present study. Results: The review presents the findings from the first author’s analysis of multiple transcripts focusing on topics from a previous study relating to life before, during, and after prison. The findings showed three primary forms of compound loss: positive loss – loss of problematic relationships, negative loss, and transformative loss. Participants of the present study experienced one or more forms of loss, resulting in experiencing compound loss. Positive loss encompassed losing a fractious romantic relationship and or substance misuse. Negative loss encompassed losing reputation, time, relationships, trust, and freedom/independence. Transformative loss encompassed improved relationships, improved self-worth and self-awareness, and advocacy for others or self. Cumulative grief and compound loss can have negative impacts on reentry success for many, as they are unable to properly cope with the pile-on effects of loss.