Fragility, resilience and antifragility: Types of romantic relationships based on response to partner imprisonment

Research evidence indicates that romantic relationships can support offenders in their desistance journeys. However, imprisonment often weakens romantic bonds through disrupted communication and financial strains. This article draws on in-depth interviews with 30 mothers and 30 fathers in a medium-security prison in Ghana to examine the state of romantic relationships during imprisonment. Parents’ narratives reveal three types of romantic relationships based on their responses to imprisonment: fragile relationships that were disrupted, resilient relationships that endured, and antifragile relationships that benefitted from the imprisonment. The findings highlight the diversity of romantic experiences during imprisonment and enhance our understanding of its consequences. The implications for policy are discussed.