Evaluating the Efficacy of a Parenting Program for Incarcerated Mothers

Abstract

Life course theory supports strengthening incarcerated mothers' parenting skills and parent-child relationships to help both inmate mothers and their children. Prison parenting programs address this need. This study evaluates the efficacy of the parenting program at a Southern correctional institution for women in changing inmate mothers' parenting knowledge and skills. A pretest-posttest nonequivalent comparison group quasi-experimental design was used to assess short-term change in knowledge after 12-week parent education courses. Paired sample t tests of parenting class participants' (n = 64) Time 1 and Time 2 scores on two parenting inventories suggest significant positive change likely resulting from the parent education program. No significant change was indicated in a comparison group (n = 26) of inmate mothers.

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

“…While this rate is high, it is consistent with other evaluations of parenting interventions in prison (e.g., Sandifer 2008;Skarupski et al 2003). There are many factors that can disrupt programming in correctional settings that are outside of the control of the inmate participants and treatment providers.…”

Parenting While Incarcerated: Tailoring the Strengthening Families Program for use with jailed mothers

“…Because women were admitted, released, re-admitted, transferred, or sentenced to prison on an ongoing basis, weekly group attendance was unpredictable. This is similar to what other studies have found even in prison settings, which have a more stable population (Eddy et al, 2013; Loper & Tuerk, 2011; Sandifer, 2008). Other barriers to attendance included jail-related events or policies (e.g., loss of permission to leave one's cell, facility lock downs, or other activities).…”

“…Parents rated strongly agree (5) to strongly disagree (1) for 40 statements about parenting (higher scores reflect greater risk). The AAPI-2 has been used with incarcerated parents in previous work (Palusci et al, 2008; Sandifer, 2008). …”

“…Programs vary in their approach and quality (e.g., whether evidence-based or not) and are rarely rigorously evaluated (Burgess & Flynn, 2013). Recent evaluations of corrections-based programs have shown improved parenting attitudes (Palusci, Crum, Bliss, & Bavolek, 2008); decreased parent stress and depression and increased positive child interaction (Eddy, Martinez, & Burraston, 2013); increased knowledge of child development, less endorsement of corporal punishment, and a more mature view of the parenting role (Sandifer, 2008); and reduced distress around visitation (Loper & Tuerk, 2011). Such results are encouraging, yet challenges remain.…”

Constitutional Rights of Infants and Toddlers to Have Opportunities to Form Secure Attachment with Incarcerate Mothers: Importance of Prison Nurseries

“…Research suggests that prison parenting programs have been effective in helping to reduce recidivism rates, improve mothers" social skills and negative behavior, and improve the quality of mental health among incarcerated mothers (Arditti & Few, 2008;Carlson, 2009Carlson, , 2001Sandifer, 2008). Research also demonstrated that programs that foster attachment improved the parent"s perceived relationship with their child, and helped repair bonds that were broken during their incarceration (Engstrom, 2008;Luke, 2002;Miller, 2006;Poehlmann, 2005a).…”