SOME FACTS ABOUT FAMILIES OF PRISONERS

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FAMILY.WHAT DOES IT MEAN? Presented
by Mary N. Ward, ACBSW, CSW Family Services
Administrator NC Department of Correction,
Division of Prisons
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SOME FACTS ABOUT FAMILIES OF PRISONERS

• One in 5 families has been touched by the
  criminal justice system.
• There are more than 2 million people behind bars
  in the United States.
• 93 of prisoners are men, 7 are women.
• About 20 of prisoners are married.
• There are about 1.5 million children with a
  parent in prison, up from 500,000 in 1991.
• Another 8 million children are estimated to have
  experienced parental incarceration at some time.
• On any given day, approximately one million
  fathers are behind bars.

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SOME FACTS ABOUT FAMILIES OF PRISONERS

• 55 of male prisoners are fathers of children
  under the age of 18.
• Most incarcerated fathers reported regular
  contact with their children
• prior to imprisonment, even if they did not live
  with them at the time.
• Approximately 75 percent of incarcerated women
  are mothers and two-thirds have children under
  the age of 18.
• About 72 percent of women prisoners who are
  mothers of children under the age of 18 lived
  with those children before entering prison.
• In North Carolina - March 2007 data reveals that
  of the over 37,000 offenders in prison 11,356
  inmates claim to have at least one child.
• Note that 2,057 were female offenders and
  9,290 were male offenders. Of the children born
  to those inmates, 13,673 were 18 years and
  younger and 10.312 were 19 years and older. This
  indicates that at least 23,985 children have a
  mother or father in prison in North Carolina.

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FAMILY..WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

• Websters Definition Family 1. a household 2.
  parents and children 3. relatives 4. all
  descended from a common ancestor lineage. 5. a
  group of similar or related thing.
• Every offender is a part of a family.
• When a family member goes to prison, many
  dimensions of family functioning (structurally,
  emotionally, etc.) can significantly change for
  the adults and children including
• -relationships -emotional support
• -income levels -anger
• -living arrangements -alienation/abandonmen
  t
• -alternative placement of children -fear
• -social stigma/embarrassment -sadness
• -alcohol/drug use -guilt
• -increased risk of abuse/neglect -shame
• -poor school performance -self-blame
• -fighting with peers -distrust

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FAMILY.WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

• Some incarcerated parents were caring and
  involved prior to prison. Some were uninvolved
  and disconnected before and continue that
  pattern. Some begin to build a relationship
  with their family and children only when they are
  locked up. Others appear to be involved while
  incarcerated, but have difficulty maintaining
  their relationships on the street. Some men and
  women may distance themselves from their families
  when locked up, often so as a protective coping
  strategy, not just from a lack of interest.
• Family members may be the best resource for an
  incarcerated individual during and after release.
  They have an understanding of both the family
  and individuals strengths and deficits.
• Recent research shows that in strengthening
  inmates ties to family are crucial to their
  successful reentry into society
• Studies show that people with strong family ties
  during incarceration have a higher success rate
  for reentry and job employment and are less
  likely to repeat crimes and use drugs.
• Each family is unique and many factors influence
  a familys ability to cope with the incarceration
  and release of a family member.

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CHALLENGES OF REUNIFICATION

• Reentry is not simple and straight forward.
  Issues can be abundant and overwhelming.
• In addition to a continuum of crisis for the
  family from arrest, to and during incarceration,
  the return of the family member can precipitate a
  renewed crisis and put a substantial strain on
  those left behind as well as those returning
  home.
• Some offenders have already used up their family
  members good will and resources and/or are the
  perpetrators or victims of violence or both
  within the family.
• Some families arent used to being asked to be a
  part of the offenders transition.
• Maintaining contact with family members during
  incarceration can be difficult. (While DOC
  recognizes the value of communication and
  encourages it, at the same time security mission
  often impedes the maintenance of family ties).

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CHALLENGES OF REUNIFICATION

• Some barriers that make it difficult for family
  members when the inmate returns home
• -new relationships
• -structural changes altered family
  relationships
• -relocation of family
• -feelings of resentment
• -limited finances
• -limited contact during incarceration
• -social stigma
• -offender obtaining employment
• -trust issues
• -parenting style issues
• BOTH the family and offender need to be prepared
  for successful reentry and reunification.

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RESPONDING TO FAMILY REUNIFICATION

• SOME CURRENT PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES
• Visitation
• Special visits
• Parenting Programs Motheread, F.a.t.h.e.r.,
  Father Accountability, STEP (Systematic Training
  for Effective Parenting, PATCH (Papas and their
  Children), Fantastic Fathers, Family Enrichment,
  etc.
• MATCH Center (Mothers and Their Children) at
  North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women
• Home Leave Program
• Family Day, One Day with God activities at
  some facilities
• Division of Prisons Offender Family Services

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CONCLUSION
Family involvement can assist in preventing
recurrence of criminal activity, help individuals
become better parents, responsible partners, and
productive members of their communities. While
it is a challenge at the same time in maintaining
security, we, as Department of Correction, are an
important partner in facilitating the connection
between inmates and their families. ?? WHAT MORE
CAN WE DO??