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Breaking the Intergenerational Cycle of Addiction: A Guide to Developing Services for Inmate-Parents and Their Families

NCJ Number
161315
Author(s)
T J Saul
Date Published
1992
Length
20 pages
Annotation
A program developed by Prison MATCH (Mothers/Fathers and Their Children) targets the drug abuse treatment needs of San Francisco County jail inmates and their families.
Abstract
The purpose of the program is to help inmates maintain family ties and improve parenting skills. The program provides a range of supportive services, including individual and family counseling, postrelease planning, referral, and followup. Individual and group counseling with incarcerated parents is designed to give them the knowledge, skills, and understanding required to promote family stability during incarceration and after release from jail. Children center activities and family support services focus on eligibility and assessment, family life workshops, self-esteem, the importance of gratitude and forgiveness, case management, and client participation and treatment. Brief case histories of selected program clients are presented, and steps associated with developing support services for inmates and their families are outlined. The interview form used in the family counseling component of the program is appended. 9 references and 7 photographs