NCJ Number
141523
Journal
Journal of Offender Rehabilitation Volume: 19 Issue: 1/2 Dated: (1993) Pages: 89-100
Date Published
1993
Length
12 pages
Annotation
Of 43 State and Federal corrections departments responding to a mail questionnaire, 36 indicated that parenting programs were available for incarcerated women as of June 1989.
Abstract
No consistency was observed across programs in terms of length, depth, and content, and most classes were taught by volunteers. Thirteen of the 36 programs lasted 4 to 8 weeks, 15 lasted 9 to 16 weeks, and 1 lasted 20 weeks. The typical program profile involved a 4 to 9 week program, 2 hours per week, and 25 inmates or less per class. Most of the 36 programs emphasized communication skills, the development of higher self-esteem, parenting skills, knowledge of children's growth stages, and inmate ability to be aware of her feelings. Thirty-two States had no knowledge about how many children would be living with their mothers after incarceration. Further, 21 jurisdictions said they had no information about how many women had been physically or sexually abused. The importance of assessing the needs of both children and mothers is stressed. 6 references and 1 note