Parenting Programs for Incarcerated Mothers: A Scoping Review

• In Event: Prison Working Group: The intersection of family and incarceration: Mental health, parenting, and familly dynamics

Abstract

Many women who are incarcerated in prisons across the United States have children under the age of 18 years old. Most of these women were the primary caretakers of their children prior to their incarceration and most plan to reunite with their children once they are released from prison. Incarcerated mothers report that their separation from their children is one of the most painful aspects of imprisonment. These women fear that the relationships with their children will deteriorate over the course of their incarceration or that they will lose their identify as mothers. Therefore, parenting programs exist in prisons to provide participants the chance to learn about child development and appropriate disciplinary methods while also allowing enhanced visitation opportunities. Despite their use, these programs differ in length, depth, and content, which may make it challenging for one to determine their effectiveness. The purpose of this scoping review is to synthesize peer-reviewed research on prison-based parenting programs. This scoping review followed the evidence-preferred reporting for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) process. Both qualitative and quantitative studies were identified. This paper provides descriptions of programs studied, how these programs were evaluated, and findings about their effectiveness. The implications related to interventions for incarcerated women are discussed, along with recommendations for further study.

Author

• Pauline K Brennan, University of Massachusetts Lowell