The potential protective factor of mothers is often overlooked in literature on juvenile delinquency. However, when hearing from incarcerated youth themselves, their mothers are a clear and unquestionable priority. Through embracing mothers using a strengths‐based lens, practitioners have an opportunity and responsibility to capitalize on this asset in a youth's life in an effort to aid rehabilitation and decrease recidivism. In this study, 1,008 writing samples from incarcerated youth were analyzed and writings to or about their mothers emerged prominently. Recommendations are shared on how to embrace and support mothers as protective factors against future offending among incarcerated youth.
Adults in custody (AICs) in a prison labor program experience conflicting messages and feelings of shame and dignity. Despite the program’s mission to help ease reentry, experiences of shame and shaming from correctional officers (COs) and the community may be setting AICs up for an increased likelihood of reoffending upon release. Using the concepts of shame and dignity, 21 program interviewee narratives were explored for their insights. Program improvements and recommendations for interventions with correctional officers, AICs, and the community are offered.
All my life I had known my dad had been locked up multiple times. I remember visiting him in county when I was like four. I had always told myself I would not get locked up or in any legal trouble at all. But then I got caught smoking and that's when it all started. I didn't know my dad smoked until after I had gotten in trouble. Then my dad told me I was following in his steps. Especially after he found out my girl was pregnant. My dad had my oldest brother when he was 17. So far, I have followed most of his steps, but I want to break the cycle. I don't want my daughter to know what mistakes I've made. I want to show her my achievements and do well.(John, Solano County Juvenile Hall, 2014).The epigraph from John is an example of intergenerational patterns of incarceration, a common and harmful phenomenon in the United States, particularly in urban, lower-income, communities of color
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