NCJ Number
205256
Journal
Review of Policy Research Volume: 21 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2004 Pages: 13-20
Date Published
January 2004
Length
8 pages
Annotation
After a general discussion of the concepts of risk, needs, and stability at both the inmate and community levels, this article addresses the distinctive situation faced by inmates with children and the obstacles they must overcome to maintain a parental relationship while incarcerated and after release; suggestions are offered for increasing the likelihood of a successful reintegration into the community after release.
Abstract
Inmate needs are related to risk in that there are individual treatment or rehabilitative factors associated with reduced risk of further involvement in crime. These include educational level, employment-related skills, mental illness, substance abuse, and family relationships. Stability is related to the need for all persons, not just ex-offenders, to achieve some level of stability and dependability in their lives in the core areas of residency, employment, and family. Incarceration may radically disrupt the factors that promote stability and help meet personal needs, thus increasing risk factors for crime upon return to the community. Imprisonment not only disrupts the life of the inmate, but also the lives of family members who may depend on the inmate for economic and emotional security. Incarceration is especially difficult for the children of female inmates. This article discusses obstacles to family relations during incarceration, including prison administrative policies, prison location, and the structure of visitation with inmates. Long-term imprisonment means that inmates may not have any significant involvement in the lives of their children during formative periods of their development. The primary goal of corrections as a rehabilitative institution should be to reduce incarceration and the length of incarceration. This article recommends legislative reforms and programmatic initiatives that could assist in this effort. These include the repeal of Federal and State statutes that include mandatory and lengthy prison terms; a reduction in the amount of time inmates must serve on parole supervision; the linking of parole decisions to the risk and needs of the inmate; the modification of prison policies to allow for evening and weekend visits and longer visitation periods for families; and the development of prison prenatal and nursery programs for pregnant inmates. Prisons should also have family-oriented treatment programs that allow the inmate and his/her family to rebuild supportive relationships. 26 references