NCJ Number
186544
Date Published
2000
Length
6 pages
Annotation
The report reviews data linking fathers in prison to predicting the future of their children.
Abstract
National incarceration rates have been increasing at the same time as the number of children living in homes without their fathers has been increasing. Theory suggests that if a father comes out of prison more committed to his children he may choose not to commit more crimes and risk another separation from them. In addition, future crime rates would decrease if more children grow up in homes with their fathers. The report looks at the diverse efforts States are making to promote responsible fatherhood among prisoners through successful interventions, increasing a father’s chance of not committing more crimes and staying involved in their children’s lives. The long term preventive aspect of crime is to lower the number of children who grow up in single parent households reducing long term crime rates. The report suggests the development and implementation of policies that can demonstrate measurable improvements related to prison-based fatherhood programs. References