Evaluative Study of the Extended Visits Scheme HM Prison Styal 21.10.91-21.2.92 (From Children, Evidence and Procedure, P 32-40, 1993, Noel K Clark and Geoffrey M Stephenson, eds. -- See NCJ-150558)

• NCJ Number: 150564
• Author(s): M McKeown
• Date Published: 1993
• Length: 9 pages
• Sale Source: British Psychological Soc
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

This study evaluated the Extended Visits Scheme, introduced at England's Styal Prison in 1991 to encourage contact between female inmates and their children.

Abstract

Mothers with children 16 years of age and younger were administered self-report questionnaires to evaluate the Extended Visits Scheme. In addition, behavior checklists were completed on each mother. During the study period, 132 day-long visits were held, the average number of visits to each mother was 3.9, and most visits were made at the expense of the mother's family and friends. Many women indicated support for extended visits, even though some were not eligible to participate in the program, but lengthy visits often made ineligible mothers feel homesick and sad that they could not have children with them. No significant differences in the behavior of incarcerated mothers were observed before and after the Extended Visits Scheme. Recommendations for additional research on the benefits of inmate visitation programs are offered. 3 references and 2 tables