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Children of Inmates: What Happens to These Unintended Victims?

NCJ Number
212903
Journal
Corrections Today Magazine Volume: 67 Issue: 3 Dated: June 2005 Pages: 84-85,90
Author(s)
Arlene F. Lee
Date Published
June 2005
Length
3 pages
Annotation
After examining the impact of a parent's incarceration on his/her children, this article considers why society should address this issue and describes programs that are providing services to inmates' children.
Abstract
Although the stories of inmates' children differ from child to child, one common theme is the shame and stigma they feel from their communities even though they had no part in their parents' crimes. Research on what happens to these children has been limited, but preliminary findings suggest that they are three to six times more likely than other children to exhibit violent or serious delinquent behavior; and 40 to 75 percent of those arrested for delinquency are arrested when they become adults. Factors related to delinquent and criminal behavior are low self-esteem, hopelessness about the future, poor social skills related to emotional disorders, serious mental health issues, aggression, diminished academic performance, and contacts with the juvenile and criminal justice systems. Clearly, society has a stake in addressing the needs of these children and youth as early as possible. One program that does this is the Child Welfare League of America's Federal Resource Center for Children of Prisoners. In collaboration with the U.S. Department of Justice's National Institute of Corrections, the resource center conducts research and evaluations, collects and disseminates information, provides training and technical assistance, and increases awareness of the needs of inmate families among agencies structured to serve them. Other programs provide enhanced visitation services, support services and parenting programs for incarcerated mothers, parenting education and counseling, Girl Scouts affiliation for inmate mothers and their daughters, and family reunification services. 4 notes