NCJ Number
47584
Date Published
1978
Length
133 pages
Annotation
THE PLIGHT OF CHILDREN WHOSE MOTHERS ARE INCARCERATED IS INVESTIGATED, AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MEETING THE NEEDS OF THESE CHILDREN ARE OFFERED.
Abstract
THE STUDY INCLUDED A MAIL SURVEY OF ADMINISTRATORS AND FEMALE PRISONERS IN 77 CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES AND DEPARTMENTS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES; INTENSIVE INTERVIEWS WITH 65 WOMEN AT THE NEW YORK CITY CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION FOR WOMEN; VISITS TO SEVERAL INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS FOR FEMALE OFFENDERS; TALKS WITH CHILDREN OF CURRENT AND FORMER PRISONERS; AND INTERVIEWS WITH PROFESSIONALS IN THE CHILD WELFARE AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE FIELDS. THE STUDY REPORT DESCRIBES THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCESS -- FROM ARREST TO RELEASE -- FROM THE PERSPECTIVES OF FEMALE OFFENDERS AND THEIR CHILDREN. THE IMPACT OF VARIOUS LAW ENFORCEMENT, JUDICIAL, CORRECTIONAL, AND SOCIAL WELFARE AGENCIES IS CONSIDERED. THE ACTUAL EXPERIENCES OF SEVERAL CHILDREN ARE DESCRIBED, AND THE EFFECTS OF SUCH EXPERIENCES ON CHILDREN OF VARIOUS AGES ARE DISCUSSED. STATISTICAL FINDINGS FROM THE NATIONAL AND LOCAL STUDIES ARE PRESENTED, FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE PROBLEMS REVEALED ARE EXAMINED, AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHANGE ARE OFFERED. THE MAJOR STUDY FINDING WAS THE SEVERITY AND RANGE OF PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED BY CHILDREN AND FAMILIES BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF CONCERN AND APPROPRIATE SERVICES AT EVERY POINT IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCESS. ANOTHER FINDING WAS THAT THE VAST MAJORITY OF CHILDREN WHOSE MOTHERS ARE IMPRISONED ARE VERY YOUNG (TWO-THIRDS UNDER 10, ONE-FOURTH UNDER 4) AND, HENCE, HAVE BEEN SEPARATED FROM THEIR MOTHERS AT AN EARLY, VULNERABLE AGE. RECOMMENDATIONS ARE DIRECTED TO SPECIFIC CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND SOCIAL WELFARE AGENCIES. SUPPORTING DATA AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY ARE INCLUDED. SEE ALSO NCJ-41831. (LKM)