The incidence of incarcerated fathers is discussed, and a program for supporting incarcerated fathers is described. The impact of incarcerated fatherhood programs on fathers, their families, and the prisons is then considered and the Incarcerated Fatherhood Program Model is offered. Recommended strategies are also provided for assisting incarcerated fathers and their families. 13 references.
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Journal Article Using longitudinal data from a sample of 451 families with a child in eighth grade at the time of study, three research questions have been addressed: First, the study explored the ways in which mothers and fathers differ with regard to four parenting styles. Second, the study examined the manner in which individual parenting styles combine to form family parenting styles. Finally, the study investigated the extent to which these various styles are related to delinquency, depression, and school commitment for adolescents. Regardless of reporter, the most common family parenting styles are…
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Journal Article This paper highlights a number of promising services and supports for incarcerated parents and recommends what attorneys representing or working with incarcerated parents and their children can do to minimize harm to children. (Author abstract)
Other
This newsletter provides information on the number of children with incarcerated parents, the impact of the incarceration, and intervention strategies. It begins with statistics on the incidence of children with incarcerated parents and a discussion of the risks children face when their parents are incarcerated. Feelings children experience are described, as well as factors that promote resiliency. Information is then provided on goals for interventions and supports for children whose parents are incarcerated. Recommended practices are discussed for arrest practices, child placement,…
This illustrated children's book tells the story of Tommy, a boy who has a father in prison for drug abuse. It discusses the number of children with parents in prison, Tommy's worry that his father will forget about him, and feelings of embarrassment Tommy has and concerns about what other children will think. Tommy is reassured by his mother that it is not his fault that his father used drugs and is in prison.
Brief
This brief uses both quantitative and qualitative data to examine how risk factors such as physical abuse, substance abuse, and incarceration are related to father involvement and relationship status among unmarried couples. The authors also examine how parents' relationship status and quality mediate the association between fathers' risk behaviors and involvement with children.
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Journal Article The confluence of high teen parenthood and incarceration rates for ethnic minority youth warrant investigations into the relationship between parental bonds and desistence from crime. Empirical studies present conflicting findings regarding how, or if, fatherhood correlates with youth offenders' decreased criminal activity. Through in-depth interviews with seven incarcerated teen fathers, this study provides insight into their views of their responsibilities toward their children, relationships with their children's mothers, and prospects for future criminal activity. Results show that…
This paper examines the consequences of incarceration for non-resident White, Latino, and African American fathers' contact with children and their formal and informal child support agreements three years after the child's birth. Using data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, fathers' current incarceration is found to present serious obstacles to maintaining contact with children, as well as to interfere with the establishment of informal but not formal financial support agreements with mothers. The effects of past incarceration, however, vary significantly by race and…
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Journal Article This paper explores the effectiveness of delivering an intensive parenting class to groups of young fathers in prison. Evaluation was based on course feedback from a total of 75 participants. Results demonstrate that even within a group of young prisoners of similar ages there were diverse parenting educational requirements, indicating a need for courses to remain flexible and participant-led. In considering parenting support needs, three-quarters of all course participants highlighted the importance of better visiting procedures to allow them to keep in contact with their children whilst in…
Brief
The two papers summarized in this brief examined theeffects of incarceration on the labor market outcomes of married and unmarried fathers. Consistent with previous research, researchers find strong evidence that spending time in prison reduces the likelihood of work and the level of earnings and wages. These findings are consistent with earlier studies which generally report a 10 to 30 percent lossin annual earnings and a 25 to 30 percent reduction in the probability of working associated with imprisonment. (Author abstract, modified)
