Abstract

There are over 2 million prisoners in the United States, and one in forty children has a parent in prison. While each family's experience is unique, there are some common themes. This effective practice, from the Family and Corrections Network library, provides an overview for service professionals concerned about what types of support children of prisoners and their caregivers most often need.

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Issue

Children with parents in prison are especially vulnerable to feelings of shame, guilt and isolation, as well as at-risk behaviors.

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Action

According to the Family and Corrections Network, most children of prisoners need:

• Consistent, caring adults who understand that, in general, children love their parents, even when they have committed a crime
• People who will not condemn the incarcerated parents as worthless
• People who will understand that children of prisoners feel angry, sad, confused, and worried
• A chance to express their feelings and learn to cope with them
• A chance to learn and practice skills and keep busy with activities
• Faith or affiliation with a community that can provide meaning for the child beyond their own crisis
• People who can help them maintain contact with their incarcerated parent or parents or explain to them why they cannot maintain contact

Most caregivers need:

• Support and understanding from friends, family, clergy, and the community
• Emotional support, such as counseling or group activities
• Information about children of incarcerated parents as well as about services in the community
• Guidance about what is generally best for children and how to answer their questions
• Rules, boundaries, and space in the home: for the children, for the family, and for the caregiver
• Opportunities for respite care and relief from the duties of care giving
• Help with managing the needs and services that are all too often fragmented, unavailable, or costly

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Context

Every child, family and circumstance is different. Some children are used to parents who were not around much before their incarceration. Some children have parents who are unpredictable because of depression or drugs or alcohol. Other children's parents were actively involved with them before they went to jail or prison.

Some children may have been traumatized by witnessing a violent arrest or may have a history of traumatizing experiences. Some children of prisoners may have no contact with their parent; others talk to their incarcerated parent every day.

Some children move to a new city or state. Some change schools or go into day care so their caregivers can work. Children will need different things from caregivers depending on their age, temperament and personality, the family circumstances, the facts and details of the crime, and the availability of outside resources.

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Outcome

As more resources become available for those serving children of prisoners and their caregivers, negative impacts on families and communities will be lessened.

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Posted On

June 14, 2004

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For More Information

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Resources

Read What Do Children of Prisoners and Their Caregivers Need?.

Source Documents

What Do Children of Prisoners Need?

Related Practices

• Assessing risk factors for children and families of prisoners

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Related sites

U.S. Dream Academy, Inc.

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