Coming Home: The Effects of Incarceration and Reentry on the Family

The 2018 Coming Home: The Effects of Incarceration and Reentry on the Family Luncheon Lecture Series, presented by Project 180 in partnership with the Boxser Diversity Initiative (BDI), brought together community members to explore the profound impact of prisoner reentry on families and the broader Sarasota community. Hosted at the Francis, the three-part series combined personal testimony, expert research, and panel discussions to illuminate both the emotional and practical realities faced by those with incarcerated loved ones.

The series began on March 2, 2018, with Parental Incarceration: The Effects of Imprisonment on Children, Parents, and Caregivers, presented by Dr. Joyce Arditti, Professor of Human Development at Virginia Tech and author of the award-winning book Parental Incarceration. Dr. Arditti shared her groundbreaking research on the vulnerabilities of incarcerated parents and their families, as well as the broader public safety threats and injustices stemming from the nation’s incarceration-heavy approach to punishment. Internationally recognized for her scholarship, Dr. Arditti’s lecture was introduced by The Honorable Charles E. Williams. The following morning, she held a book signing at Bookstore 1 in downtown Sarasota.

On April 6, 2018, the focus shifted to lived experience with In Their Own Words, a panel of family members who spoke candidly about the emotional toll and logistical challenges of having a loved one incarcerated and then reentering the community. Moderated by Joy Mahler, President/CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast, the discussion offered raw, firsthand perspectives on navigating the justice system, supporting reentry, and rebuilding family stability. The panel was introduced by County Commissioner Nancy Detert.

The series concluded on May 11, 2018, the Friday before Mother’s Day, with A Mother’s Story presented by Heather Roberts, BA, a former preschool teacher and co-owner of Roberts Hardwood Lumber in Sarasota. Roberts spoke with humor, compassion, and insight about the ongoing impacts of her son’s incarceration and reentry, and the deep, daily concerns that accompany loving someone who lives with the lifelong consequences of a single irrevocable mistake. Her talk, introduced by The Honorable Lee E. Haworth, captured the profound personal cost of involvement with the justice system for both her son and their entire family.

Presented by Project 180 and BDI, the 2018 Luncheon Lecture Series gave attendees a deeper understanding of how incarceration reverberates far beyond prison walls—reshaping family dynamics, challenging community resources, and demanding a more humane and effective approach to justice.