NCJ Number
145718
Date Published
1993
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This booklet intends to help professionals and volunteers who work with children understand the psychological and behavioral effects of having a parent incarcerated; ways to help and support these children are also suggested.
Abstract
Common emotions experienced by children of incarcerated parents are fear and anxiety, sadness and isolation, anger, guilt, stigma, confusion about values, and confusion about roles. Common behaviors are regression, withdrawal, aggression against authority figures, decline in school work, and delinquent behavior. Particular points of crisis are the time of arrest, pretrial or during the trial, sentencing, when the parent is incarcerated, and when the parent returns home. The kind and degree of trauma a child suffers depend on the child's coping abilities, the nature of the crime and sentence length, outside response available to the family, and the long-term emotional atmosphere and support within the family. Adults who interact with the children of incarcerated parents can help them by acknowledging the painful feelings, encouraging children to express their feelings, providing practical assistance in dealing with problems, and listening to and not judging the child. Vignettes explore some circumstances and feelings particular children have experienced when a parent has been incarcerated.