Development of a multisystemic parent management training intervention for incarcerated parents, their children and families

Abstract

The majority of men and women prison inmates are parents. Many lived with children prior to incarceration, and most have at least some contact with their children and families while serving their sentences. As prison populations have increased in the United States, there has been a renewed interest in finding ways not only to reduce recidivism, but also to prevent incarceration in the first place, particularly amongst the children of incarcerated parents. Positive family interaction is related to both issues. The ongoing development of a multisystemic intervention designed to increase positive family interaction for parents and families involved in the criminal justice system is described. The intervention package currently includes a prison-based parent management training program called Parenting Inside Out (PIO); a prison-based therapeutic visitation program; and complimentary versions of PIO designed for jail and probation and parole settings. Work on other components designed for justice-involved parents, children and for caregivers during reunification from prison is ongoing. Program development has occurred within the context of strong support from the state department of corrections and other key governmental and non-profit sector groups, and support systems have been established to help maintain the interventions as well as to develop complimentary interventions, policies and procedures.

Improving the Emotional Adjustment and Communication Patterns of Incarcerated Mothers: Effectiveness of a Prison Parenting Intervention

“…However, these educational offerings can vary substantially in content, are rarely evaluated in a systematic way, and may extend to only a minority of inmates (Eddy et al 2008;Loper and Tuerk 2006;Glaze and Maruschak 2008). Nonetheless, emerging parenting programs are on the rise, and demonstrate that solid gains are possible when parenting intervention is presented during a prison stay (Kennon et al 2009).…”

Adversity Across the Life Course ofIncarcerated Parents: Gender Differences

“…Data were drawn from the initial assessment of the Parent Child Study (PCS), a randomized controlled trial of a parent management training program, Parenting Inside Out (PIO), designed specifically for incarcerated mothers and fathers (see Eddy et al, 2008; Eddy, Martinez, & Burraston, 2013). The program was delivered in prison, and comprised three 3-hour meetings each week for a period of 12 weeks.…”

“…The goal of the intervention is to increase parenting-relevant knowledge and skills, including communication with other caregivers, to assist not only with parenting while incarcerated, but parenting in the post-incarceration period. in preparation (Eddy et al, 2008). The development of the PIO program is discussed in detail in Eddy et al (2008).…”

“…in preparation (Eddy et al, 2008). The development of the PIO program is discussed in detail in Eddy et al (2008). The study was conducted in 4 minimum or medium security level Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) facilities designated as “releasing institutions” where incarcerated parents transferred to prior to their release.…”

“…Recent decades have produced several generations of children of incarcerated parents whose developmental and lifetime of experiences are often starkly different from their peers (Western & Pettit, 2010). Preventing problems amongst these children will likely require a variety of approaches that engage parents and caregivers, including current and formerly incarcerated parents (Eddy, Martinez, Schiffmann, Newton et al, 2008). …”