Visitation can be an important and meaningful experience for incarcerated parents and their children, but it can also bea source of stress and anxiety when parents’ or children’s expectations do not align with what ends up happening. Many aspects of visitation are outside of the control of an incarcerated parent, but there are things you can do to anticipate problems and reduce stress to make visitation a positive and beneficial experience for everyone involved. Below are things to consider when planning for a visit from your child. If you do not know the answer to a question, think about who…
Visitation can be an important and meaningful experience for incarcerated parents and their children, but it can also be a source of stress and anxiety when parents’ or children’s expectations do not align with what ends up happening. Many aspects of visitation are outside of the control of an incarcerated parent, but there are things you can do to anticipate problems and reduce stress to make visitation a positive and beneficial experience for everyone involved. Below are things to consider when planning for a visit from your child. If you do not know the answer to a question, think about…
This fact sheet examines the effect that having an incarcerated parent has on a child and provides recommendations for reforms.
Intended for incarcerated males in New York State, this fact sheet explains the rights of parents to make arrangements for their child's care, be informed about the foster care agency responsible for the child's care, know how to reach the family caseworker, participate in permanency planning for the child, get information about family visiting, visit with the child, be assigned an attorney for the Family Court case, and attend Family Court proceedings. The responsibilities of incarcerated parents are also explained, as well as a petition to terminate parental rights, permanency planning, and…
For a variety of reasons, many dads do not see their children on a regular basis. As a result, they often have to redefine their roles and responsibilities as a father. Incarcerated dads have extraordinary challenges to keeping track of their children's development and activities. Nevertheless, incarcerated dads across the country are improving the quality of their relationships with their children just by starting with a little inspiration, mixing in some imagination, and adding a lot of love. This Spotlight highlights several creative ways that incarcerated dads have used to stay connected…
Por diversas razones, muchos padres no ven a sus hijos con regularidad. Como resultado, a menudo tienen que redefinir sus funciones y responsabilidades como padre. Los padres encarcelados tienen dificultades extraordinarias para seguir el desarrollo y las actividades de sus hijos. Sin embargo, los padres encarcelados de todo el país están mejorando la calidad de sus relaciones con sus hijos simplemente empezando con un poco de inspiración, mezclando algo de imaginación y añadiendo mucho amor. Este Spotlight destaca varias formas creativas que los padres encarcelados han utilizado para…
Other, Fact Sheet
The incarceration of a loved one can be very overwhelming for both children and caregivers. It can bring about big changes and transitions. In simple everyday ways, you can comfort your child and guide her through these tough moments. With your love and support she can get through anything that comes her way. Here are some tools to help you with the changes your child is going through. (Author abstract)
Fact Sheet, Brief
Series of one pagers designed to clarify existing federal policies that affect formerly incarcerated individuals and their families. The MythBusters cover topics critical to reentry, such as public housing, access to federal benefits, parental rights, employer incentives, and more. As the MythBusters show, some federal laws and policies are narrower than is commonly perceived, as is the case with public housing and food assistance benefits. States and localities often have broad discretion in determining how policies are applied and/or have various opt-out provisions for states (TANF and…
While incarceration penalizes lawbreakers, it also has unintended punishing effects on the children left behind, often causing stress and family instability that may contribute to challenges to children's well-being immediately and over the course of their lives. (Author abstract)
Over the last 25 years, the number of incarcerated persons has quadrupled. The number of children with a father in prison increased 77% from 1991-2007 and the number with a mother in prison increased 131% in the same time. Incarceration of a parent is very much a family matter. It has long-range economic, emotional and social consequences that affect prisoners and families, and that can affect children's well-being. Children of the incarcerated are one of the most at-risk, yet least visible, populations of children. Data about families affected by incarceration is fraught with major data gaps…
