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Families of Prisoners

NCJ Number
121873
Journal
Nurturing Today Volume: 10 Issue: 1 Dated: (1988), entire special issue
Editor(s)
J W Mustin, S Gassman, J D Bavolek, S J Bavolek
Date Published
1988
Length
48 pages
Annotation
A series of articles reviews the importance of and ways of nurturing inmates' relationships with their children.
Abstract
A number of articles discuss the positive developmental value for both inmates and their children of nurturing the parent-child bond while the parent is in prison. The general inadequacy of parent-child programs in prisons is noted. One article addresses the inadequate medical care for pregnant female inmates and suggests possible solutions. Another article focuses on the families of death row inmates. The parent-child nurturing programs described include a center that provides housing for 10 inmate mothers and up to 17 children, overnight housing for prison visitors, child centers at prisons where inmate parents and children can interact in a stimulating and nurturing environment, a local radio program through which inmates and their families can communicate, and a summer program that houses inmates' children near the prison for a week to increase the number of parent-child contacts. Child development classes for inmate parents are also described. A number of articles focus on the importance of nurturing father-child bonds during the father's imprisonment.