NCJ Number
56703
Date Published
1977
Length
8 pages
Annotation
RESULTS ARE REPORTED FROM A SURVEY OF A SAMPLE OF FEMALE INMATES IN TWO TEXAS PRISONS REGARDING THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THEIR SEPARATION FROM THEIR CHILDREN AT THE TIME OF THEIR ARREST AND WHILE IN PRISON.
Abstract
THE QUESTIONS ASKED IN THE PERSONAL INTERVIEWS FELL INTO TWO GENERAL CATEGORIES--PERSONAL DATA SUCH AS AGE, RACE, HOMETOWN, MARITAL STATUS, THE SEXES AND AGES OF THE CHILDREN, AND DATA REGARDING THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CHILDREN. THE INTERVIEW ALSO EXAMINED THE NATURE OF THE WOMAN'S ARREST, ITS IMMEDIATE IMPACT ON HER CHILDREN, AND THE ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOR OF THE ARRESTING OFFICERS. GENERALLY, THE ACTIONS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL, THE COURTS, AND SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES SHOWED LITTLE PLANNING OR CONCERN FOR THE CARE OF THE CHILDREN UPON ARREST OF THEIR MOTHERS. AN EXAMINATION OF PRESENTENCE REPORTS OF CONVICTED MOTHERS SHOWED LITTLE ATTENTION TO THE FAMILY CIRCUMSTANCES CREATED BY THE MOTHER'S IMPRISONMENT. ARRESTING OFFICERS RARELY CONTACTED SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES REGARDING THE FAMILY DISRUPTION. SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES WHICH BECAME INVOLVED WITH THE CHILDREN OF IMPRISONED MOTHERS OFTEN SOUGHT TO LIMIT OR PROHIBIT ENTIRELY CONTACT BETWEEN THE MOTHER AND HER CHILDREN, BELIEVING THIS WAS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE CHILDREN. COOPERATION BETWEEN PRISON SOCIAL WORKERS AND COMMUNITY SOCIAL WORKERS IN DEALING WITH FAMILY PROBLEMS WAS BY NO MEANS ASSURED. OVERALL, CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES EVIDENCED A LACK OF DEFINITIVE POLICY FOR DEALING WITH CHILDREN AND MOTHERS SEPARATED BY IMPRISONMENT. PROGRAMS AT THE FORT WORTH FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION, ON THE OTHER HAND, ARE AIMED AT HELPING TO REENFORCE THE FAMILY STRUCTURE. THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES FOR HOME FURLOUGH, THE TEACHING OF PARENT EFFECTIVENESS TRAINING, AND OPPORTUNITIES TO USE COMMUNITY RESOURCES TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CHILD CARE. BRIEF CASE HISTORIES ILLUSTRATING SOME OF THE FAMILY PROBLEMS THAT CAN DEVELOP FOR MOTHERS IN PRISON ARE PRESENTED. (RCB)