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Your post has not been uploaded. Try again?: A Study on the loss of social media during incarceration

Athir Hadi, Shahed LU (2023) SOCM04 20231
Department of Sociology
Sociology
Abstract
This thesis examines the loss of social media during incarceration and how incarcerated individuals reflect on the abrupt absence of social media in their lives. Based upon eight interviews with previously incarcerated individuals, this thesis studies the emotional process incarcerated people go through when doing identity work. Building upon Erving Goffman’s framework of identity and self-presentation, Jack Katz's Seductions of Crime, and Heith Copes and Andy Hochstetler’s masculinity in storytelling, this thesis will present the different relations between identity, self-presentation, control, and power. Two main processes are identified in the findings: the process of regaining the social identity one had prior to incarceration, and the... (More)
This thesis examines the loss of social media during incarceration and how incarcerated individuals reflect on the abrupt absence of social media in their lives. Based upon eight interviews with previously incarcerated individuals, this thesis studies the emotional process incarcerated people go through when doing identity work. Building upon Erving Goffman’s framework of identity and self-presentation, Jack Katz's Seductions of Crime, and Heith Copes and Andy Hochstetler’s masculinity in storytelling, this thesis will present the different relations between identity, self-presentation, control, and power. Two main processes are identified in the findings: the process of regaining the social identity one had prior to incarceration, and the process of curating a new identity while being incarcerated. The process of regaining the social identity one had prior to incarceration occurs with access to, for example, contraband phones. The process of curating a new identity while being incarcerated occurs by obtaining new hobbies, such as storytelling. The underlying theme between both processes is power and the battle to regain control over one’s identity and communication. Deviating from previous research on social media use inside prisons, the findings of this study show that incarcerated individuals are hesitant towards social media use behind bars as it would defeat the purpose of incarceration. By presenting the interplay between online identity and control behind bars, this thesis will provide an in-depth perspective on the significance social media has in identity work. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Athir Hadi, Shahed LU
supervisor
organization
course
SOCM04 20231
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Incarceration, Social media, Identity, Social reclamation, Control, Power
language
English
id
9121356
date added to LUP
2023-06-09 10:19:58
date last changed
2023-06-09 10:19:58
@misc{9121356,
  abstract     = {{This thesis examines the loss of social media during incarceration and how incarcerated individuals reflect on the abrupt absence of social media in their lives. Based upon eight interviews with previously incarcerated individuals, this thesis studies the emotional process incarcerated people go through when doing identity work. Building upon Erving Goffman’s framework of identity and self-presentation, Jack Katz's Seductions of Crime, and Heith Copes and Andy Hochstetler’s masculinity in storytelling, this thesis will present the different relations between identity, self-presentation, control, and power. Two main processes are identified in the findings: the process of regaining the social identity one had prior to incarceration, and the process of curating a new identity while being incarcerated. The process of regaining the social identity one had prior to incarceration occurs with access to, for example, contraband phones. The process of curating a new identity while being incarcerated occurs by obtaining new hobbies, such as storytelling. The underlying theme between both processes is power and the battle to regain control over one’s identity and communication. Deviating from previous research on social media use inside prisons, the findings of this study show that incarcerated individuals are hesitant towards social media use behind bars as it would defeat the purpose of incarceration. By presenting the interplay between online identity and control behind bars, this thesis will provide an in-depth perspective on the significance social media has in identity work.}},
  author       = {{Athir Hadi, Shahed}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Your post has not been uploaded. Try again?: A Study on the loss of social media during incarceration}},
  year         = {{2023}},
}