This paper draws on data gleaned from in-depth, repeated inter-views with approximately 200 low-income noncustodial fathers in two U.S. cities. It focuses on two social problems that have seldom been brought together in the same analysis: father involvement (both economic and relational), and the impact of men's involvement with the criminal justice system. In the sample, roughly one-third of respondents report being incarcerated at least once during their life course. The authors looked in detail at what these respondents had to say about how their involvement with the criminal justice…
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Journal Article This article describes the development of solution-focused psychotherapy groups for incarcerated fathers at a medium security correctional facility. The solution-focused approach was implemented to avoid the strategies used by inmates to undermine insight-oriented and non-directive therapies. Emphasis was placed on the identification of problems, desired outcomes, and behaviors that would achieve the participant's goals. Program planners selected the cognitive-behavioral approach to group psychotherapy for its focus on the recognition of feelings and identification of successful methods of…
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Journal Article A shortened form of the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI) was used to examine the relationship between parenting styles and the psychological distress and offending patterns of a group of young male offenders held in custody in Scotland. High levels of psychological distress were linked with low parental care, but there was no association between psychological distres and parental control. Parental care was not a distinguishing factor in offending patterns, although high paternal control was linked with a younger age of first arrest. When interactions of paternal and maternal parenting styles…
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Journal Article Incarcerated fathers or men in the role of father or surrogate father in the US are approaching rates that could be considered epidemic in proportion. Children are adversely affected by the absense of fathers. This study explores the efficacy of a programmed parenting intervention for incarcerated men, derived from the Real Life Parenting Skills Program. (Author abstract modified)
In this study an attempt will be made to determine the attitudes of the men towards responsible fatherhood and parenting with the intent of moving towards building stronger communities and reducing the flow of individuals into the corrections system. If in fact we are able to reduce the flow we can move the discussion from corrections versus rehabilitation to what is best for the outside community. (Author abstract, modified).
This report is organized in distinct sections. The background (p.2) presents a brief review of theliterature, national and statewide statistics relevant to parenting, an overview of the Long Distance Dads program, and a description of the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections and the State Correctional Institution at Albion. The objectives section (p.11) states the specific goals of the project and describes process evaluations in general. The methods section (p.12) details the procedures utilized to answer the questions of the evaluation (i.e., the description of the collection of both…
