The development of a parenting program for incarcerated mothers in Australia: A review of prison-based parenting programs
Claire Newman
Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Health, University of Technology - Sydney, Broadway; NSW Justice Health, Practice Development Unit, Eastgardens NSW
Cathrine Fowler
Centre for Midwifery, Child and Family Health, University of Technology, Sydney, Sydney; Tresillian Chair in Child and Family Health, Tresilian Family Care Centres, Belmore NSW
Andrew Cashin
School of Health and Human Sciences, Southern Cross University, Lismore NSW
PP: 002 - 011
Abstract
The increasing population of children with an incarcerated parent is a significant public health issue. A literature search highlighted that children of incarcerated parents experience psychological stressors that may potentially impact on health and behavioural outcomes. Parenting programs for prisoners may be of benefit as early parenting experiences during childhood have a significant impact on a child's future experiences as an adolescent and adult.
A review of identified evaluation-based studies of parenting programs for prisoners (N = 11), although varied in program delivery approaches and evaluation methods, suggest that such programs have the potential to improve the parenting skills, knowledge and confidence of incarcerated parents. Finally, this paper provides an outline of the development of an Australian based parenting program for incarcerated mothers and their young children.
Keywords
incarcerated parents; children; parent education; prison; criminal justice
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