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An incredibly important article on what it's like to live with a partner in prison in Egypt from Heba Anis. Her husband, Dr. Walid Shawky, has been held in pre-trial detention for over 18 months. Short thread on what to consider in reading this account. https://raseef22.com/article/1078374
The detention situation in Egypt is so acute and the number of those unjustly detained is so absolutely overwhelming that rights defenders, lawyers, and activists rarely have a chance to look beyond immediate concerns of ensuring prisoners are safe and trying to secure freedom.
But, as has been studied with mass incarceration elsewhere (including US), the consequences associated with mass detention extend far and wide into society. Heba mentions the impact on her child, who suffers psychologically. Imprisonment is a trauma suffered by generations.
Inherent in her story are gendered implications of incarceration. Single motherhood presents so many challenges on its own: add to that constant stress and concern associated with having a spouse in jail, not knowing when or if they'll be released. Mothers, wives, suffer greatly.
Trauma studies show that psychological effects associated with these sustained situations reduce an individual's functional abilities. It becomes harder to perform job or family duties when the mind is constantly occupied with life-or-death issues like a loved one's imprisonment.
An emerging field of research in the US demonstrates mass incarceration is an economic burden, not only limiting the detainee's ability to contribute economically, but also reducing family contributions. I've not found studies in the region, but there are clear parallels.
