Services to Children & Families of Prisoners

Parental incarceration and the disruption of family relationships can produce negative outcomes for children, including poverty, poor academic performance, aggression, depression, delinquency, and substance abuse. Incarcerated mothers and fathers are unable to work on parenting skills that may be necessary for reunification, and separation interferes with the ability of parent and child to form or maintain a strong attachment.

Family-centered services for incarcerated parents, their children, and families focus on parenting programs, family strengthening activities, nurturing of family relationships, community supports for families during incarceration and following release, and gender-specific interventions.

Bringing Hope to Children of Incarcerated Parents: Short Report (PDF - 89 KB)
Welfare Peer Technical Assistance Network (2004)
Characteristics and promising practices of programs for incarcerated parents.

The Implications of Incarceration for Children and Families (PDF - 121 KB)
Research and Training Center on Family Support and Children's Mental Health
Data Trends, 91, 2004
Explores the experiences of children and families when a parent is incarcerated. Discusses the need for greater attention to services and policy development for this population.

Keeping Children Safe When Their Parents Are Arrested: Local Approaches That Work (PDF - 2490 KB)
Puddefoot & Foster (2007)
Highlights successful protocols created jointly by law enforcement and child welfare services in California to serve children whose parents are arrested and identifies key strategies to develop collaborative approaches.

Prison Parenting Programs: A National Survey
Hughes & Harrison-Thompson
The Social Policy Journal, 1(1), 2002
View Abstract
Surveyed 745 State prisons to gather data on their parent populations and prison parenting programs. Findings revealed significant differences by gender among prisons and program structures.

Responding to Children and Families of Prisoners: A Community Guide
Adalist-Estrin & Mustin (2003, rev. ed.)
View Abstract
Suggests strategies for meeting the needs of family members of prisoners focusing on promoting family relationships, skills, and faith. All aspects of the planning process are outlined.

Saturday Morning at the Jail: Implications of Incarceration for Families and Children
Arditti, Lambert-Shute, & Joest
Family Relations, 52(3), 2003
View Abstract
Interviews with caregivers visiting an incarcerated family member during children's visiting hours gathered information about family, health, economics, and the legal aspects of the inmate's situation. Implications for family practice and policy are discussed.

Special Focus on Incarcerated Parents
Family Support America, 22(3), 2003
View Abstract
This special issue focuses on incarcerated parents and describes some successful models for supporting families with incarcerated parents. An overview of issues that need to be addressed in such support programs is provided.

Welfare Peer TA Roundtable: Bringing Hope to Children of Incarcerated Parents (PDF - 1109 KB)
Welfare Peer Technical Assistance Network (2003)
Best practices for strengthening families separated by parental incarceration; summarizes challenges and describes program models.