Final Report of the Process Evaluation of the Long Distance Dads Program

• NCJ Number: 221289
• Date Published: June 2001
• Length: 473 pages
• Grant Number(s): 1997/1998/1999-DS-19-9495
• Sponsoring Agency: Pennsylvania Cmssn on Crime and Delinquency
• Corporate Author: Ctr for Organizational Research & Evaluation (CORE)
• Sale Source: Pennsylvania Cmssn on Crime and Delinquency
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Directory 405 pages http://www.pccd.state.pa.us/pccd/lib/pccd/stats/doc%20parenting%20programs%20directory.pdf; downloaded January 23, 2008.

Annotation

This report presents the methodology and findings of the process evaluation of Pennsylvania's Long Distance Dads (LDD) Program, which is a prison-based, peer-led fathering program that is currently operating at six State correctional institutions.

Abstract

Nearly all of the programs stated that their focus was to teach inmates to be better parents during their incarceration, as well as when released from prison. Specific issues addressed are how to be active in their child's life, understanding family problems, reducing recidivism, and parenting priorities. The strengths of the program, as noted by program directors, are the use of peer leaders, group discussion, the voluntary nature of the program, and the balance between educational and experiential learning. Weaknesses noted by program directors are inadequate followup after program completion, the lack of resources for facilitating family reconnection after a release from lengthy incarceration, lack of attention to the isolation inmates feel from their families, and lack of ways to deal with children at various age levels. Obstacles to the effectiveness of the program include lack of space, financial implications due to missed work opportunities, limited amount of session time, distance from families, and lack of opportunity for inmates to practice parenting skills they have learned. Suggestions for improvement include increased staff awareness of process issues, financial incentives for peer leaders, followup programs, more funding, availability of a clinical therapist, and using fathering videos to show the practical application of parenting skills. The evaluation included interviews with involved prison staff, inmates, and peer leaders; direct observations of group sessions; review of program reports; and an inventory of State correctional institution parenting programs. This report contains a directory of Pennsylvania Department of Corrections parenting programs. A bibliography and appended tables LDD curriculum summary, questionnaires, and Internet information directory