NCJ Number
217895
Date Published
2007
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This chapter discusses the responsibilities of correctional social workers in assisting parents and their children at the time of a parent's arrest, incarceration, and return to the community after release.
Abstract
Although the children of arrested parents should be routinely screened by a child welfare agency at the time of a parent's arrest, this does not happen in most jurisdictions. This should involve consideration of placement decisions and the screening of potential caregivers. Services for the children of arrested parents are typically trauma-focused and provide crisis-intervention services through law enforcement collaboration with mental health agencies. The majority of jailed persons have been convicted of a criminal charge and are either serving their sentences in jail or are awaiting transportation to prison. Some jailed parents will need logistical assistance in making arrangements for their children during the separation of incarceration, including assistance with long-term child placements. Relatives of jailed parents who may become caregivers for the children will need assistance in accessing resources for their new parenting role. This chapter provides data and information on the characteristics of imprisoned parents, their criminal justice history and status, and their sentences. Distinctions are drawn between imprisoned fathers and imprisoned mothers. Findings from research on the management and plight of children of imprisoned parents are also presented. Other topics addressed are parent-child programs in prisons and social work tasks with imprisoned parents. A section on social work with parents after they are released from prison focuses on reentry services, a parent's reoffending, and parent-child reunification. The chapter concludes with recommendations for how social workers can manage the stress they experience in working with offender-parents and their children. 71 references