Understanding the Experiences and Needs of Children of Incarcerated Parents

Stigma and shame represented an experience shared by most children of incarcerated parents that distinguished them from other at-risk peers. [Mentees] were often deceived about their parent’s whereabouts or had limited knowledge of the incarceration, and as a result, found it difficult to understand why their parent was no longer in their life. Mentors worried that these children might internalize the shame and not be able to separate their own actions from those of their incarcerated parent.

Although children’s strong relationships with their mothers prior to incarceration tended to result in greater distress and upheaval upon her departure, it also supported communication during her confinement. Most mentors indicated that their [kids] want to maintain bonds with their incarcerated mothers and are more likely than children with incarcerated fathers to have contact with their parent during the incarceration.