Reentry, Grief and Loss: Addressing Unmet Mental Health Needs of Incarcerated Women

Rando (1988) classified losses into two categories: physical and symbolic losses. Losses that are easily defined and somewhat tangible are considered physical losses. 

 

Physical losses are generally associated with the death of an individual (Read, et al., 2018); however, they can include the loss of one's personal property and possessions. 

 

In contrast, symbolic losses are more abstract (Rando, 1988). These losses are not always easy to identify for incarcerated women. These may include the loss of a counselor, loss of parental contact, or transfer to a new facility (Read et al., 2018). 

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