NCJ Number
214045
Journal
Prevention Researcher Volume: 13 Issue: 2 Dated: April 2006 Pages: 7-10
Date Published
April 2006
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article examines the effects on adolescent children of the incarceration of a parent and suggests support strategies for these youth.
Abstract
The children of incarcerated parents typically experience the stigma and shame associated with the parent's crime, arrest, and incarceration; the conspiracy of silence that most inmates' families use to cope with the incarceration; and the loyalty conflicts that emerge in inmates' families. These and other factors stimulate in inmates' adolescent children feelings of fear, worry, confusion, sadness, guilt, loyalty conflict/isolation, embarrassment, and anger. The persons in the best position to help youth deal with these feelings are a parent remaining in the home, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and other family members and friends; however, teachers, counselors, and other in the community can also have a significant supporting role. Mentoring programs focus on the development of a nurturing and guiding relationship with the youth. Academic, recreational, and extracurricular activities foster resilience through the building of competence and confidence; and faith-based programs offer inspiration, meaning, and hope. Some of the issues that must be addressed in support strategies are anger that racial and ethnic minority youth may feel regarding their perceptions of racism as contributing to their circumstances, the building of trust between the youth and his/her supporters, the promotion of education and awareness among resource persons about the feelings of children with incarcerated parents, honoring the significance of the relationship between a youth and his/her incarcerated parent, and empowering youth to control and manage their lives. Further, criminal justice and other public agencies that manage and serve incarcerated parents and their children should monitor and encourage policies that foster interaction between inmates and their children, such that parental responsibilities and guidance can continue during the period of incarceration. 9 references