Wilfrid Laurier University Scholars Commons @ Laurier Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive) 2019 Beneficial Mourning yb Inmates Who have Lost a Significant Person James Bradley Shoemaker Wilfrid Laurier University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://scholars.wlu.ca/etd Part of the Counseling Psychology Commons, Counselor Education Commons, Criminology Commons, Health Policy Commons, Health Psychology Commons, Humane Education Commons, Practical Theology Commons, Prison Education and Reentry Commons, Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons, and the Social Work Commons Recommended Citation Shoemaker, James Bradley, "Beneficial Mourning yb Inmates Who have Lost a Significant ersonP " (2019). Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive). 2128. https://scholars.wlu.ca/etd/2128 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by Scholars Commons @ Laurier. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive) by an authorized administrator of Scholars Commons @ Laurier. For more information, please contact [email protected]. BENEFICIAL MOURNING BY INMATES WHO HAVE LOST A SIGNIFICANT PERSON By James Bradley Shoemaker Hons. BBA, Wilfrid Laurier University, 1987 M.Div. Knox College, 2008 DISSERTATION Submitted to Martin Luther University College In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy in Human Relationships Wilfrid Laurier University 2019 © James Bradley Shoemaker, 2019 MOURNING WHILE IN PRISON Abstract Incarceration is already replete with loss before someone of significance to an inmate dies. The prison environment challenges every aspect of grieving, and failing to eFfectively mourn pathologiZes grief, reduces quality of living, and results in behaviours that cause recidivism. It is a poignant interaction between this researcher in his role as a chaplain and a particular inmate that provides the impetus for this study. This study begins with a qualitative meta-synthesis that examined 10 qualitative articles and dissertations published over the last 30 years to explore how some inmates manage to eFfectively grieve the loss of a significant person. For the purposes of this study, Worden’s (2009) four tasks of mourning were the litmus test by which eFfectiveness was determined. The methodology for the meta-synthesis was drawn from Sandelowski and Barroso (2007), while Saldaña’s (2012) work guided coding, theming, and theory formulation. Once the meta-synthesis was complete, three focus groups with 14 Ontario prison chaplains were conducted to discuss the findings. The focus group methodology was that of Kruger and Casey (2014), and again, Saldaña’s (2012) work guided coding, theming, and theory formulation. Through this meta-synthesis and the focus groups, the author forged an understanding of how mourning could be better supported in the immoderate conditions of incarceration. In so doing, this study benefits prison grief support workers, prison staFF, and correctional administration and may have implications for other institutions that house disenfranchised grievers. Keywords: bereavement, grief, prison, prisoner, meta-synthesis, focus groups, disenfranchised, PCBD. ii MOURNING WHILE IN PRISON Acknowledgements This thesis is dedicated to the many prison chaplains throughout the world that remain passionate about the work they do, to the many prisoners who endeavour to grieve despite the challenges, and to the many correctional staFf who find ways to show compassion while maintaining security. I am indebted to Dr. Kristine Lund, my Dissertation Advisor who guided and encouraged me throughout my studies. I am thankful for the Committee Members made up of Dr. Cheryl-Ann Cait, Dr. Brice Balmer and Dr. Kate Harper who challenged my thinking early on and assessed the work at critical junctures and for the external reviewer, Dr. Greg Brown for giving of his time. I am appreciative of the Deputies at Maplehurst Correctional Complex and to Pastor Howard and Knox Presbyterian Milton who gave me the flexibility necessary to do the research and to the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services Research Committee for authoriZing the study. I am also most grateful for the prison chaplains who shared their invaluable insights. Finally I express my heartfelt thanks to my wife, Kathy for being so supportive, positive and sacrificial over the duration of my studies and research. iii MOURNING WHILE IN PRISON Table of Contents Abstract ............................................................................................................................. ii Acknowledgements .......................................................................................................... iii Table of Contents .............................................................................................................. iv Beneficial Mourning by Inmates Who Have Lost a Significant Person ....................... 1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 1 Why the research question? ..................................................................................................... 1 Role of a chaplain at Maplehurst Correctional Complex. ........................................................ 3 Remand Centre walk-through. ................................................................................................. 8 Chapter Two: Literature review ..................................................................................... 12 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 12 DeFinition oF grief, bereavement, significant other, and mourning. ...................................... 13 History oF grieF theories ............................................................................................................. 13 Complicating Factors: age, culture, type oF death, disenFranchisement ..................................... 22 GrieF work .................................................................................................................................. 24 Non-complicated bereavement support ..................................................................................... 26 Worden's Tasks .......................................................................................................................... 26 Complicated grieF, its risk Factors, and treatment ...................................................................... 28 Inherent risk factors for complicated grief in inmates ............................................................... 30 Why inmates cannot mourn in prison as they might in their normal environment ................... 30 Systematic barriers to mourning ................................................................................................ 31 Prison politics: a barrier to mourning ........................................................................................ 32 Prison walls: a barrier to mourning ........................................................................................... 32 Barriers and Worden’s (2009) Four Tasks oF Mourning ........................................................... 33 GrieF priority .............................................................................................................................. 34 iv MOURNING WHILE IN PRISON Philosophy of incarceration ....................................................................................................... 34 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................. 35 3. Methodology of meta-synthesis ........................................................................ 37 Conceive oF the study ................................................................................................................ 40 Search for qualitative research reports ...................................................................................... 40 Appraise the reports ................................................................................................................... 42 ClassiFy the Findings .................................................................................................................. 42 Synthesize the Findings into a meta-summary ........................................................................... 43 Synthesize the Findings into a meta-synthesis ........................................................................... 43 OptimiZe the validity oF the studies ........................................................................................... 44 Coding methodology ................................................................................................................. 44 Solo coding. ........................................................................................................................... 46 Journaling (analytic memos). ................................................................................................. 46 Precoding. .............................................................................................................................. 46 First-cycle coding. .................................................................................................................. 47