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Guide for Implementing Child Care Centers in Correctional Institutions

NCJ Number
90250
Author(s)
M J Gamble
Date Published
1981
Length
58 pages
Annotation
This manual provides correctional staff with a basic guide for developing and implementing planned child care programs for inmates' children during family visits to the prison.
Abstract
An effective program would reduce the number of people as well as the noise level in overcrowded visiting areas. It would also occupy the children so that adult family members can have meaningful communication. Staff responsibility would include establishing a steering committee to supervise the program's operation and developing procedures for identifying the target population. The steering committee should consist of representatives from the inmate council and from personnel involved in education, medical services, counseling, and classification. A careful assessment of fiscal needs and resources should precede a selection of inmate participants. A curriculum outline is provided, and the manual also discusses preparing the facility, arranging to meet fire, health, and safety standards and requirements for basic equipment and supplies; and managing the program (establishment of a records system and program evaluation). The appendixes contain an existing child care policy and program forms, an annotated bibliography, a recordkeeping system, and pre- and post-implementation questionnaires.