NCJ Number
166342
Journal
American Jails Volume: 9 Issue: 6 Dated: (January-February 1996) Pages: 31-34,36
Date Published
1996
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Research on a program established by the Denton County (Tex.) Jail for 22 incarcerated mothers and their children ages 3-10 years revealed the benefits of a parent-child visiting program in jail.
Abstract
The number of female inmates in local jails increased 138 percent between 1983 and 1989, and more than two-thirds of the women in local jails are estimated to have a child under age 18. Incarceration places both physical and emotional distance between inmates and their families. Incarcerated mothers experience tremendous stress related to separation from their children; parents are generally the most significant people in their children's lives regardless of their socioeconomic status, values, lifestyle, or parenting ability. Filial therapy training can provide the foundation of knowledge and skills necessary for incarcerated mothers to begin changing parental attitudes and behaviors. The Denton County program included both parenting classes and play sessions. Videotapes served as pretests and posttests and provided positive reinforcement for parents as they watched themselves and other parents demonstrate their newly acquired knowledge and skills with their children. Results supported the benefits of filial therapy training with incarcerated mothers. Recommended actions include providing establishing filial therapy training for both inmates and correctional personnel, a family community room with toys for children to have weekly contact visitation with their incarcerated parents, and support groups for children and families to process their feelings during the stressful time of incarceration and separation. 21 references