Understanding the Needs and Experiences of Children of Incarcerated Parents: Views from Mentors

• NCJ Number: 222703
• Author(s): Elizabeth Davies; Diana Brazzell; Nancy G. La Vigne; Tracey Shollenberger
• Date Published: February 2008
• Length: 14 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Annie E. Casey Foundation
• Corporate Author: The Urban Institute
• Sale Source: The Urban Institute
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Research report downloaded May 13, 2008.

Annotation

This report examines the impact of a parental incarceration and describes the focus group methodology used to obtain a qualitative perspective.

Abstract

The most prevalent finding from focus group discussions with mentors was the considerable variation within the population of children of incarcerated parents, particularly between those who experienced maternal incarceration and those who experienced paternal incarceration. Children who had a mother behind bars were likely to have lived with her prior to incarceration and typically experienced substantial upheaval in their lives following her departure. These children were likely to retain a strong attachment to their mothers, which enabled communication during incarceration but also resulted in greater emotional distress. Typically, fathers had long been absent in cases of both maternal and paternal incarceration, and because of this absence, mentors stressed the need for support of male role models in the lives of these children particularly boys. Besides a parent's gender, the dynamics of their criminal justice involvement influenced children's responses; children with a parent serving a long sentence seemed to adjust better in some ways than those with a parent who was constantly cycling in and out of prison. These children often became accustomed to their absent parent and did not experience the inconsistency and repeated traumatization of children whose parents were in their lives one minute and out the next. Younger children were less able to understand or process a parent's absence, internalizing to a greater degree the loss of a parent to incarceration. The considerable variation within the population of children with incarcerated parents suggests that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to meeting the needs of children with incarcerated parents. Mentors unanimously agreed that these children needed adult figures who were reliable and consistent in their lives and who provided examples of stable and successful families and adults. Appendix