Model Practices for Parents in Prisons and Jails: Reducing Barriers to Family Connections
Second Chance Month
April 2023
Written
Topic:
Family Engagement
Model Practices for Parents in Prisons and Jails: Reducing Barriers to Family Connections
The objective of this report from Urban Institute and the National Institute of Corrections (NIC) is to detail a set of practices that correctional administrators can implement to remove barriers that inhibit children from cultivating or maintaining relationships with their incarcerated parents during and immediately after incarceration.
To accomplish this objective, correctional administrators should:
- Consider that children need and want to have a relationship with their incarcerated parents and vice versa
- Allow incarcerated parents to take responsibility for their children
- Provide opportunities for families to communicate, interact, and bond
By implementing the practices outlined in this document, administrators will reduce the stress and confusion children experience when their parent is incarcerated while sustaining or maximizing safety and security in the facility.