Children of prisoners: a growing public health problem

Abstract

Objectives: To estimate the number and proportion of children in New South Wales affected by parental incarceration, and to describe the health impact of punitive incarceration on the children of prisoners.

Children of incarcerated parents: Insights to addressing a growing public health concern in Australia

“…There are an estimated 60,000 children under 16 years of age in the state of New South Wales (NSW) who have experienced parental incarceration; at least one in five are Indigenous children (Quilty, Levy, Howard, Barratt, & Butler, 2004). Over the last two decades, the number of prisoners in Australia rose by 31%, which is greater than the average increase in all other countries that are members of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) (ABS, 2009).…”

Why Australia needs a Medical Research Future Fund

“…With well designed and delivered antenatal care and early childhood programs, along with effective interventions helping young adults to adopt healthy behaviours, there is a tremendous opportunity to temper the emergence of chronic illnesses in younger people. Research also suggests that Indigenous Australian children are more likely to experience parental incarceration than non-Indigenous children (Quilty et al 2004). Findings from measure 2.14 should be considered in the context of the broader societal consequences of exposure to the criminal justice system and the way this impacts on the health and wellbeing of families.…”

Could recidivism in prisoners be linked to traumatic grief? A review of the evidence

“…Borzycki and Baldry (2003) discovered 58% of over 22,000 incarcerated individuals had been previously imprisoned in Australia. Quilty et al (2004) found Indigenous Australians are highly over-represented in prisons, comprising 20% of this population and yet only 2% of the national population. Harding (1998) found that once an Indigenous Australian is arrested the likelihood of them being rearrested is 92%.…”