Social and Psychological Aspects

The Impact of Imprisonment on the Relationship Between Clothing and Identity of Incarcerated People

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Abstract

There are currently 2.3 million incarcerated people in the US, many of whom are required to wear government-issued clothing while imprisoned. This research incorporated a phenomenological approach to explore the impact of imprisonment on the relationship between clothing and identity of incarcerated people. To answer this question, n=15 formerly incarcerated people were interviewed using open-ended questions about their experience as it related to clothing worn while imprisoned. Results showed that participants use clothing as a vehicle for re-humanization after release. It was found that formerly incarcerated people gravitate towards comfortable clothing after release instead of dressing to impress others as they did prior to incarceration. Additionally, it was revealed that participants noticed a shift in their level of material satisfaction after release. Results from this study may also encourage future research concerning social conditions and rehabilitation in corrections, including institutional clothing.

Keywords: incarceration, identity, institutional clothing, re-humanization, rehabilitation, material satisfaction

How to Cite:

Carter, L. & Annett-Hitchcock, K., (2022) “The Impact of Imprisonment on the Relationship Between Clothing and Identity of Incarcerated People”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 78(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.13798