From the Inside Out: Effects of Parental Incarceration on Children

Deni Hanington

doi:10.29173/cjfy29510

Abstract

While incarceration rates have been increasing, conversations and knowledge on children with incarcerated parents have not. Children, like their parents, undergo challenges and serious adaptations when they lose their guardian to the criminal justice system. Studies done on children of incarcerated adults show the disproportionate impact on racialized and marginalized populations within Canada, as well as the economic consequences that follow. Due to various factors that unravel during these children’s lives, they face more social risks than many other individuals developing at the same time under separate circumstances.

Highlights

Admittances of incarceration within North America have experienced a stark increase over the past number of years
Due to various factors that unravel during these children’s lives, they face more social risks than many other individuals developing at the same time under separate circumstances
The goal of this paper is to examine the effects that parental incarceration has on children in various areas, and to what extent society can play a role in reversing them

Summary

Introduction

Admittances of incarceration within North America have experienced a stark increase over the past number of years. These increases in incarceration have had the ability to create conversations, as well as studies, surrounding the topic of institutions and existing effects on inmates. While incarceration rates have been increasing, conversations and knowledge on children with incarcerated parents have not Children, like their parents, undergo challenges and serious adaptations when they lose their guardian to the criminal justice system. The Elizabeth Fry Society states that 66% of women in custody are mothers to children (Elizabeth Fry Society of Edmonton, 2018) These statistics demonstrate that children of incarcerated individuals are more common than our society is aware of. Youth with incarcerated parents have been referred to as “secondary victims of crime” as they may undergo changes in schools, family roles, different caretakers, economic distress and general feelings of shame or grief (Cunningham & Baker, 2004, p. 2)

Objectives

Findings

Conclusion