Children's contact with their incarcerated parents: research findings and recommendations.
Approximately 1.7 million children have parents who are incarcerated in prison in the United States, and possibly millions of additional children have a parent incarcerated in jail. Many affected children experience increased risk for developing behavior problems, academic failure, and substance abuse. For a growing number of children, incarcerated parents, caregivers, and professionals, parent-child contact during the imprisonment period is a key issue. In this article, we present a conceptual model to provide a framework within which to interpret findings about parent-child contact when parents are incarcerated. We then summarize recent research examining parent-child contact in context. On the basis of the research reviewed, we present initial recommendations for children's contact with incarcerated parents and also suggest areas for future intervention and research with this vulnerable population.
Poehlmann
Julie
J
Human Development and Family Studies, School of Human Ecology, Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA. poehlmann@waisman.wisc.edu
Dallaire
Danielle
D
Loper
Ann Booker
AB
Shear
Leslie D
LD
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D017028:Caregivers; D002648:Child; D005190:Family; D006801:Humans; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D011329:Prisoners; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D014481:United States
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