NCJ Number
194653
Date Published
2002
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This report presents the findings from a 2001 National Institute of Corrections survey on the current range of family-oriented programs and services for inmates nationwide ranging from current agency initiatives, facility assignment and visitation, and services to pregnant inmates and mothers.
Abstract
The need for family-oriented programs for inmates has been recognized by correctional agencies on a nationwide level. In March 2001, the National Institute of Corrections distributed a survey to State, territorial, and Federal departments of corrections to gather information for policymakers and correctional administrators on the present range of family-oriented programs. Two separate, but related issues were discussed through the survey: (1) the degree to which agencies had focused on support for family relationships and/or interventions with children of inmates and (2) the types of programs and assistance provided for inmates and their families or children. Responses were received from 54 agencies. These responses included 48 State department of corrections, the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and corrections departments in the District of Columbia, New York City, Guam, and Saipan and the Correctional Service of Canada. Survey results provided information on agency initiatives related to families of inmates, facility assignment and visitation assistance, services for inmates with children, services to pregnant inmates and mothers of infants and young children, and on evaluations of services for families of inmates. The survey confirmed that correctional agencies were commonly providing family programs to reduce stresses of separation and build support systems for inmates re-entering the community after release. The appendix includes a list of department of corrections contacts on services for families of inmates. Tables