Perceptions of the parent/child relationship: Incarcerated mothers vs. caregivers

• In Event: The Effect of Incarceration on Parents and their Children

Abstract

The collateral consequences of incarceration for children, parents, and caregivers (emotional and financial stress, among others) have led to the implementation of a number of programs aimed at alleviating these negative effects. The purpose of this study is a partial evaluation of a parenting from prison program offered in a women’s prison in the Midwest. The program required offenders to complete a parenting curriculum and encouraged contact with children, including participation in an alternative to face-to-face visitation. Thirty women began the study but by the end of the two-year pilot only 10 remained. Self-administered surveys were given to offenders at four time points and once to the current caregiver of their child(ren). Surveys asked about satisfaction with the current parent/child relationship, quality of offender/child relationship, satisfaction with amount of time spent together between parent and child, and a self assessment of parenting ability. Results indicate overall caregivers have a higher perception of satisfaction on all measures. Offenders noted significantly increased satisfaction with the current relationship, their own parenting ability, and the amount of time spent with their children.

Author

• Lynn S. Urban, University of Central Missouri