Children and Families of Incarcerated Felons: A Status Report and Demographic Inquiry

• NCJ Number: 165048
• Author(s): G A Lukowski
• Date Published: 1995
• Length: 59 pages
• Sale Source: Tennessee Dept of Correction; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

In response to a resolution passed by the Tennessee General Assembly in 1994, the Tennessee Department of Correction (DOC) was instructed to gather information about felons incarcerated in Tennessee prisons and their families, to estimate the number of children affected by the incarceration of parents, and to gather information on prison visitation policies and programs nationwide.

Abstract

The DOC devised a survey instrument that was randomly administered to 18.7 percent of the male felon population (n=2,247) and 65.8 percent of the female felon population (n=260). The survey instrument was administered in group settings to randomly identified volunteers in Tennessee correctional facilities. Survey findings indicated 67.5 percent of male felons and 81.2 percent of female felons had children; overall, felons had 2.4 children each. There were an estimated 17,462 individuals of all ages affected by the incarceration of parents, an estimated 16,557 individuals of all ages affected by the incarceration of parents who lived in Tennessee, and an estimated 12,616 individuals under 18 years of age affected by the incarceration of parents who lived in Tennessee. Nearly 31 percent of the 12,616 individuals under 18 years of age (3,975 children) were supported by public assistance, and most of these children were between 6 and 12 years of age. An average of 99 students per month for the first 7 months of fiscal year 1994-1995 had at least one parent incarcerated in the adult system. For those felons with children, 34.3 percent of male felons and 6.09 percent of female felons said their children currently lived with the felon's spouse; 15.58 percent of male felons and 4.57 percent of female felons said their children lived with the felon's partner; and 12.45 percent of male felons and 43.15 percent of female felons said their children lived with grandparents. Male felons lived an average of 176.96 miles from their children and families, and female felons lived an average of 218.4 miles from their children and families. Prison visitation and family programs in other States are described. Appendixes contain the survey instrument and the DOC policy on prison visitation. 8 footnotes, 5 tables, and 21 charts