Mental Health Service Needs in the Prison Boom: The Case of Children of Incarcerated Mothers

Abstract

This study identifies the factors related to mental health service use among children of incarcerated mothers. Data on 700 children collected from a diverse sample of mothers in Arizona are used, and a two-stage probit model with sample selection is estimated to assess the various child, mother, and caregiver characteristics associated with children's use of mental health services. Results indicate that children involved in child protective services (CPS) and children cared for by grandparents are more likely to receive mental health services, whereas children of Native American mothers and children who have been exposed to violence are less likely to receive services for their mental health needs. These findings have important implications for correctional policy regarding the intake screening of female inmates and suggest that criminal justice agencies communicate more closely with CPS and community-based services to ensure children's mental health needs are addressed while their mothers are in prison.

An international human rights perspective on maternal criminal justice involvement in the United States.

“…Similarly strong studies have connected maternal incarceration during childhood with a higher risk of adult criminal justice involvement (Huebner & Gustafson, 2007; Muftić, Bouffard, & Armstrong, 2016). Smaller studies have also documented unmet mental health needs and low access to mental health care in the children of women in prison (Tasca, Turanovic, White, & Rodriguez, 2014; Turanovic & Rodriguez, 2015) and those on community supervision (Phillips, Venema, & Roque, 2010).…”

Participating in a parenting intervention in prison, perceptions from incarcerated fathers and mothers—A convergent mixed-methods study

“…Thus, extensions of FOCS may benefit not only the parents in their immediate strive towards changing their parenting and improving the relationship with their child, but also the children's healthy development across childhood. It is well documented in the literature that children with incarcerated parents run a higher risk of a number of negative health outcomes, marginalisation and own delinquency [4][5][6][7][8][9]. An increased focus on, and extension of FOCS may therefore contribute to improved health, less marginalisation and prevention of crime and suffering over time in this child group.…”

“…Positive parenting is essential to a healthy development process for all children [1,2], and parent training has been found successful in preventing antisocial behaviour and delinquency [3]. Findings from both the international arena [4][5][6] as well as the Swedish context [6][7][8] specifically, have shown that children with a parent incarcerated in prison have an elevated risk for poor health in a number of areas, including poor well-being and behaviour problems such as antisocial behaviour, as well as future delinquency [6,8,9]. The development of delinquency in this child group has been suggested to be explained by intergenerational transmission of delinquent behaviour from the parent to the child [8,9], and the criminally active parents may have difficulties in engaging in positive parenting strategies [10,11].…”

Methods of Calculating the Marginal Cost of Incarceration: A Scoping Review

“…Incarcerated individuals suffer from immediate income losses when in jail and losses in lifetime earnings, and suffer from poor health (Cloud et al, 2014; Pager, 2007; Schnittker & John, 2007; Tyler & Brockman, 2017; Weidner & Schultz, 2021; Wildeman & Muller, 2012). Partners, children, and families of incarcerated individuals are affected by losses in household income and benefits, including health care coverage, poor health, and household and marital instability (Arditti & Few, 2006; Massoglia & Schnittker, 2009; Miller & Barnes, 2015; Provencher & Conway, 2019; Turanovic & Rodriguez, 2017; Turney, 2014; Western & Pettit, 2010). Society as a whole is also affected by incarceration through lost public service and social capital, increased possibility of criminal behavior, violence and victimization, anxiety in the public, and links to poor overall population health outcomes (Clear, 2007; Clear et al, 2003; Dumont et al, 2012; Lynch & Sabol, 2004; Renauer et al, 2006; Rose & Clear, 1998; Sampson & Loeffler, 2010; Wildeman, 2012).…”