Children and families dealing with parental incarceration need extra support, especially if they are also involved with child welfare. Children who are separated from their parents due to incarceration often experience a variety of negative outcomes. For a parent who is incarcerated, remaining fully involved in their children's lives can be difficult. In addition, participating in case planning and court hearings and accessing supportive services can be challenging. Caseworkers can support and strengthen families impacted by parental incarceration by being aware of the obstacles these families face and the services and supports available to help them. The following resources highlight the importance of engaging with incarcerated parents early and often and provide recommendations for how to support children and families and keep them together.
Child Welfare and the Criminal System: Impact, Overlap, Potential Solutions
Amaso & Palcheck (2021)
Georgetown Journal on Poverty Law & Policy
Examines the disproportionate rate at which incarcerated parents lose their parental rights, particularly among parents of color, which in turn contributes to the higher likelihood of negative outcomes for their children. The article proposes three solutions: investing in communities, reducing mass incarceration, and reducing racial bias in the judicial system.
New Training & Technical Assistance for Caregivers
National Resource Center on Children and Families of the Incarcerated (2021)
Offers effective training and technical assistance to programs serving children and families of the incarcerated, including content directly informed by the needs and concerns of those impacted by the criminal justice system.
Supporting Communication for Families Impacted by Incarceration
National Child Abuse and Neglect Technical Assistance and Strategic Dissemination Center. Rutgers University--Camden. National Resource Center on Children and Families of the Incarcerated. & United States. Children's Bureau. (2019)
Provides concrete tips for supporting effective visits and communication between an incarcerated parent and their child.
Supporting Relationships Between Children and Their Incarcerated Parents
National Child Abuse and Neglect Technical Assistance and Strategic Dissemination Center. Rutgers University--Camden. National Resource Center on Children and Families of the Incarcerated. & United States. Children's Bureau. (2019)
Focuses on the impact of different phases of child development during a child's communication and visitation with their incarcerated parent.
Brief Offers Policies for Families Separated by Foster Care and Incarceration
Annie E. Casey Foundation (2018)
Discusses policies and programs that can reduce the impact of sentencing decisions and incarceration on children and youth.
Children of Incarcerated Parents
U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Corrections
Provides comprehensive resources on research and policy regarding the rights of children of incarcerated parents.
Coping With Incarceration
Sesame Street
Offers activities, tip sheets, and videos for caregivers and professionals to help explain incarceration to children and facilitate communication about children's emotions.
Supporting Youth With Incarcerated Parents: For Social Workers
Youth.gov
Presents guides and webinars to support social workers and related professionals working with families affected by incarceration. Resources include information about child development, arrest policies, and youth participatory action research.
Tip Sheet for Providers: Supporting Children Who Have an Incarcerated Parent (PDF - 887 KB)
Youth.gov
Offers a tip sheet written by youth for child welfare providers working with children who have an incarcerated parent. The resource covers what youth want child welfare professionals to know and suggestions for changes youth would like to see in interactions with incarcerated parents.
Tips to Support Children When a Parent Is in Prison
Martoma (2020)
HealthyChildren.org
Provides information to better support children during the time their parent(s) are incarcerated.
Directory of Programs Serving Children & Families of the Incarcerated
National Resource Center on Children and Families of the Incarcerated
Provides national and State-specific programs specifically designed to partner with families and children affected by incarceration. Programs include mentoring, employment training, and other important services.
Inclusion on this list is for information purposes and does not constitute an endorsement by Child Welfare Information Gateway or the Children's Bureau.
Supporting Families and Children of Incarcerated Fathers
National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse
Describes how children of incarcerated fathers have a higher chance of experiencing stress, trauma, and stigmatization, which may cause behavioral and emotional problems. The website emphasizes the importance of providing access to support services in the community for adults and children in these families.
Assisting Families of Inmates
Provides a program for children of incarcerated parents in Virginia and works to create opportunities for visiting their incarcerated parent. The organization also provides referrals to services and resources for families to help them during the incarceration.
Foreverfamily, Helping Children of Incarcerated Families
Offers services to children, families, and caregivers affected by parental incarceration in the Atlanta, GA, metropolitan area. Services include after-school programs, community projects, and youth workshops that address the psychological effects of parental incarceration and seek to improve the community.
Incarcerated Parents and Termination of Parental Rights in Connecticut: Recommendations for Reform
Durkin, Lopez, & Roberts (2021)
Connecticut Voices for Children
Provides 18 recommendations to support the children of incarcerated parents and to protect parental rights.
Center for Restorative Justice Works
Seeks to rebuild connections between children and their parents in prison and raise public awareness about the challenges facing families impacted by incarceration in California.
Parenting Programs in State Correctional Facilities
National Child Abuse and Neglect Technical Assistance and Strategic Dissemination Center. Rutgers University--Camden. National Resource Center on Children and Families of the Incarcerated. & United States. Children's Bureau. (2018)
Presents State-specific programs designed to support incarcerated parents and their families.
The Pathfinder Network
Seeks to improve outcomes for children whose parents are involved in the criminal justice system and supports initiatives to create systems change and parent leadership in Oregon.