NCJ Number
54047
Journal
PROBATION AND PAROLE Issue: 9 Dated: (FALL 1977) Pages: 32-38
Date Published
1977
Length
7 pages
Annotation
A PILOT PROGRAM TO HELP FATHER AND CHILD ESTABLISH A MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIP WHILE THE FATHER IS IN PRISON AND TO HELP THE FATHER ACQUIRE PARENTING SKILLS THROUGH OBSERVATION AND PRACTICE IS DESCRIBED.
Abstract
THE INTRODUCTION RECAPS THE PROBLEMS FATHERS HAVE MAINTAINING TIES WITH THEIR CHILDREN WHILE THEY ARE IN PRISON. PRISON VISITING RULES DO NOT ENCOURAGE CHILDREN, CHILDREN ARE FORBIDDEN TO BRING TOYS OR BOOKS INTO THE VISITING ROOM, AND THE FAMILY UNDERGOES GREAT STRAIN TRYING TO CONTROL THE CHILDREN DURING VISITS. THIS PILOT PROGRAM WAS ESTABLISHED AT UTAH STATE PRISON. THE VISITING ROOM WAS RESERVED FOR GROUP SESSIONS DESIGNED ESPECIALLY FOR CHILDREN AGED 3 TO 9 YEARS AND THEIR INMATE FATHERS. A SOCIAL WORKER AND HER COLEADER HELPED LEAD GAMES AND PLAN ACTIVITIES. THE INITIAL GROUP CONSISTED OF 14 CHILDREN AND 6 FATHERS, AND THE WEEKLY SESSIONS LASTED 90 MINUTES AND WERE FOLLOWED BY DISCUSSIONS WITH THE FATHERS ON PROBLEMS THEY WERE HAVING RELATING TO THE CHILDREN, NORMAL BEHAVIOR PATTERNS FOR CHILDREN AT EACH STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT, AND POSSIBLE WAYS OF HANDLING SITUATIONS WHICH HAD ARISEN. THE PROGRAM WAS SUPPOSED TO TERMINATE AFTER 2 MONTHS BUT THE GROUP SHOWED SUCH RESISTANCE THAT A SECOND GROUP HAD TO BE STARTED TO ENABLE OTHER FATHERS TO PARTICIPATE. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT IN THE FUTURE THE PROGRAMS SHOULD HAVE AN ANNOUNCED TIME LIMIT OF 10 TO 12 WEEKS. REACTIONS HAVE BEEN POSITIVE AMONG ALL CONCERNED. (GLR)