Children of Color and Parental Incarceration: Implications for Research, Theory, and Practice

Abstract

Practicai information about cuiturally appropriate interventions with children of incarcerated parents (ClPs) of color and their families is notably sparse. This study uses a cultural-ecological perspective to contextualize individual, family, and legal issues inherent in many intervention programs for CIPs of color. The authors highlight demographic trends, review research limitations, and discuss ways that therapeutic models can help counselors address their clients' needs. Recommendations are provided for future interventions with this underserved population. Keywords: children, parental incarceration, intervention, therapyLa información práctica sobre intervenciones culturalmente apropiadas con hijos de personas de color encarceladas (CIPs ) por sus siglas en inglés y sus familias es notablemente escasa. Este estudio usa una perspectiva cultural-ecológica para contextualizar los asuntos individuales, familiares y legales inherentes a muchos programas de intervención para CIPs. Los autores destacan las tendencias demográficas, las limitaciones en la investigación de reseñas, y discuten formas en las que los modelos terapéuticos pueden ayudar a los consejeros a abordar las necesidades de sus clientes. Se proporcionan recomendaciones para intervenciones futuras con esta población desatendida.Palabras clave: hijos, encarcelamiento de los padres, intervención, terapia T he United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world (The Sentencing Project, 2012). Given the growth in the nation's prison population, it is important to examine die potential impact of parental incarceration on children. Although the incarceration rates among ethnic minorities are disproportionately high, there is relatively little systematic research on therapeutic considerations and interventions that address concerns specific to children and families of color. The purpose of this article is threefold: (a) to present demographics pertaining to incarcerated parents and their minor children (i.e., children under the age of 18), (b) to discuss conceptual and methodological limitations in research on children of incarcerated parents (CIPs), and (c) to highlight theoretical and therapeutic models that may be used to create more effective interventions and programs for CIPs of color and their families.

Incarceration and Family Stress as Understood through the Family Process Theory: Evidence from Hong Kong

“…The impact of incarceration on families has received increased attention from researchers in recent years ( King, 1993 ; Myers et al, 1999 ; Hairston, 2001 ; Kazura, 2001 ; Magaletta and Herbst, 2001 ; Schen, 2005 ; Codd, 2008 ; Murray et al, 2009 , 2014 ; Shlafer and Poehlmann, 2010 ; Graham and Harris, 2013 ; Manby et al, 2015 ). The increasing size of the prison population, together with findings revealing both acute and prolonged impacts on life trajectories of family members with at least one imprisoned parent in the family, were major factors contributing to growing interest in the field ( Goffman, 1961 ; Schwartz and Weintraub, 1974 ; Brodsky, 1975 ; Swan, 1981 ; Jorgensen et al, 1986 ; Hairston and Lockett, 1987 ; Hairston, 1998 , 2001 , 2004 ; Casey et al, 2015 ).…”

Understanding Child Outcomes within a Multiple Risk Model: Examining Parental Incarceration

“…Understanding the unique effect of parental incarceration is a fine and noble goal, but we must also consider other environmental and ecological factors that impact child development. Multisystem therapies, family centered therapies, and community approaches are some examples of interventions found to be helpful in addressing the complex lives and circumstances of these families (Graham and Harris 2013). Additionally, the challenges faced by researchers in this field are great.…”

“…Children with incarcerated parents constitute a growing population within our communities-there are an estimated two million children with a parent currently incarcerated and that number does not include children whose parents have been previously incarcerated and released or those whose parents are under some community supervision such as probation or parole (La Vigne et al 2008;Graham and Harris 2013). Researchers have documented the negative outcomes that many of these children face, including future substance use, academic underachievement, poverty, and future criminality (Dallaire 2007;Poehlmann et al 2008;Kjellstrand and Eddy 2011).…”

Exploring the Impacts of Racial Disparity Within the American Juvenile Justice System

“…The four C’s are comprised of care, consistency, choices, and consequences (Perron, 2018). Graham and Harris (2013) researched the use of the Cultural‐Ecological Model for Children of Incarcerated Parents of Color. This model displays the direct impacts on the children such as parental demographics, for example, gender, sentence, mental and physical health, and parent‐child relationships prior to and during incarceration affect the child's adjustment (Graham & Harris, 2013).…”