Redefining fatherhood: The impact of parenting program on incarcerated fathers in Hong Kong prisons

• In Event: 30662 - Section on Crime, Law, and Deviance Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): Table 5: Prisons/ Prison-Related/ Experiences in Prisons

Abstract

Inside the prison walls, incarcerated parents face significant challenges, including their incarcerated experiences (Chui, 2016) and concerns of the familial well-being (King, 1993). Many incarcerated fathers also fear their children might fall into an intergenerational cycle of crime and poverty, exacerbated by societal stigma (Gehring, 2000). Despite these challenges, Chui (2010) found that incarcerated fathers in Hong Kong tend to maintain their fatherly identity, contrasting with a tendency towards withdrawal in Western contexts, likely due to the strong Chinese cultural emphasis on kinship. Yet, it remains important to equip these fathers with adequate parenting skills and attitudes, where they often lack proficiency (Bushfield, 2004). This paper uses the Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes (KSA) model, widely used to identify essential components for effective task performance (Bloom et al., 1956), to explore how incarcerated fathers construct and reshape their fatherly identities. Drawing from mix-methods approach, integrating observational research, case study, interviews, document analysis and evaluation feedback, the paper focused on a prison-based parent-child program in Hong Kong. Supported by the local correction services authority, a local NGO established parent-child playrooms in four correctional institutions. After completing the program, incarcerated fathers could engage in regular, quality playtime with their children, allowing for physical interaction not typically permitted during visitation. Data collection involved extensive prison visits, observing ten program sessions, and gathering materials such as visitation logs, program content, and evaluations from various stakeholders, including caseworkers, correctional officers, and caregivers. Three case studies illustrate how incarcerated parents could redefine their "father" identity in terms of knowledge, skills, and attitudes.
It argues that male prisoners could reconstruct and redefine their roles as fathers through an active intervention program, which imparted essential knowledge, skills, and attitudes. This process highlights the ongoing challenges PICs face in maintaining relationships with their children and shows their potential to overcome.

Authors

• Kylie Chiu Yee Lui, The University of Hong Kong

• Winnie Wan-yin Yiu, The University of Hong Kong

• Yat-lui Fung, The University of Hong Kong

• Sandra Kit-man Tsang, The University of Hong Kong

• Paul Wai-ching Wong, The University of Hong Kong