Understanding Incarceration and Spousal/Partner Relationships: An exploration of female imprisonment and its effects on family relations in Zimbabwe

This paper focuses on gendered dynamics of spousal relationships of incarcerated women. It seeks to understand the roles played by gender and sexuality in shaping these relationships. The paper uses gender lenses to critically examine how the penal system, prisons, and family are all gendered institutions that create a specific identity for the imprisoned woman. This identity presumably affects the partner and spousal relationships of imprisoned women. Thus interwoven in the analysis are issues of femininity versus criminality, language and crime. Gendered symbolism and imprisonment are explored in relation to how society creates representations that create the identities of the imprisoned woman. Thus the research informs feminist scholarships and correct male bias in research mainly centred on imprisoned man and marriage. My findings show that social stigma, women’s life situations, and children are the most important elements of gendered relationships and institutions affecting the spousal/partner relationships of incarcerated women.