National Resource Center on Children & Families of the Incarcerated

Program Evaluation

Program Evaluation and Intervention Effectiveness Research

Program evaluation and intervention outcome research are forms of research that assesses short- or long-term changes among individuals participating in programs or receiving interventions. These forms of research should be based on a logic model; that is, there should be a clear rationale for why the program or intervention is expected to lead to the intended results. In evaluating programs and interventions, it is important to know if participants received the services/interventions laid out in the program logic model. If, for example, a participant only participated in one session of a multi-session intervention or if participants were suppose to take part in one type of activity, but the activity was modified, then they did not actually receive the intended service/intervention and one would not expect them to experience the intended benefits. For this reason, some program evaluation research also sometimes focuses on the implementation of services and the service delivery process.

Program Evaluation and Intervention Effectiveness Research – Selected Listings

  • Abram, F. Y., & Linhorst, D. (2008). A process evaluation of collaborative planning for children of prisoners. Administration in Social Work, 32(1), 39-54
  • ASPE, US Department of Health and Human Services. (2008-2013) Evaluation of the Marriage and Family Strengthening Grants for Incarcerated and Reentering Fathers and their Partners http://aspe.hhs.gov/hsp/08/mfs-ip/
  • Baradon, T., Fonagy, P., Bland, K., Lenard, K., & Sleed, M. (2008). New Beginnings-an experience-based programme addressing the attachment relationship between mothers and their babies in prisons. Journal of Child Psychotherapy, 34, 240.
  • Batalova, J., Shymonyak, A., & Mittelstadt, M. (2021, August 30). Immigration data matters. migrationpolicy.org. https://www.migrationpolicy.org/research/immigration-data-matters
  • Benninger, E., Schmidt‐Sane, M., Massey, S., & Athreya, B. (2023). Youth for Youth: Raising the voices of children of incarcerated parents and implications for policy and practice. Journal of Community Psychology, 1-30.
  • Branigan, & Meyer, J. M. (2021). Bedtime Schedules and Sleep Regulation among Children of Incarcerated Parents. The Journal of Pediatrics, 236, 253–259. 
  • Bush-Baskette, S., & Patino, V. (2004). The National Council on Crime and Delinquency’s Evaluation of the Project Development of National Institute of Correction’s/Child Welfare League of America’s Planning and Intervention Sites Funded to Address Needs of Children of Incarcerated Parents. Oakland: CA: National Council on Crime and Delinquency.
  • Carlson, J. R. (2001). Prison nursery 2000: A five-year review of the prison nursery at the Nebraska Correctional Center for Women. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 33, 75-98.
  • Casey-Acevedo, K., Bakken, T., & Karle, A. (2005). Children visiting mothers in prison: The effects on mothers’ behaviour and disciplinary adjustment. Violence & Abuse Abstracts, 11.
  • Church, W. T., & Springer, D. W. (2018). Serving the stigmatized: Working within the incarcerated environment. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
  • Cyphert, A. B. (2018). Prisoners of Fate: The Challenges of Creating Change for Children of Incarcerated Parents. Maryland Law Review, 77(2), 385–426.
  • Dallaire, D. H., & Shlafer, R. J. (2018). Programs for currently and formerly incarcerated mothers. When Parents Are Incarcerated: Interdisciplinary Research and Interventions to Support Children., 83–107.
  • Davies, E., Brazzell, D., La Vigne, N. G., & Shollenberger, T. (2008). Understanding the experiences and needs of children of incarcerated parents: Views from mentors. Baltimore, MD: The Urban Institute.
  • Dichter, H., Ruprecht, K., & Tomlin, A. (2020). Exploring Early Care and Education Policy for Young Children of Incarcerated Parents. Zero to Three, 40(4), 51–58.
  • Eddy, J. M., & Burraston, B. O. (2018). Programs promoting the successful reentry of fathers from jail or prison to home in their communities. In C. Wildeman, A. R. Haskins, & J. Poehlmann-Tynan (Eds.), When parents are incarcerated: Interdisciplinary research and interventions to support children (pp. 109–131). American Psychological Association. 
  • Hairston, C. F., Bates, R., & Lawrence-Wills, S. (2003). Serving incarcerated mothers and their babies in community-based residences. Chicago: Jane Addams College of Social Work, Jane Addams Center for Social Policy and Research.
  • Ichikawa, J. and Selby, P.Children of Prisoners Empowered for Success( COPES) Final Evaluation report 2009. Seatle, Casey Family Programs.
  • Kremer, K. P., Poon, C. Y. S., Jones, C. L., Hagler, M. A., Kupersmidt, J. B., Stelter, R. L., Stump, K. N., & Rhodes, J. E. (2020). Risk and Resilience among Children with Incarcerated Parents: Examining Heterogeneity in Delinquency and School Outcomes. Journal of Child & Family Studies, 29(11), 3239–3252.
  • Kubiak, S. P., Young, A., Siefert, K., & Stewart, A. (2004). Pregnant substance-abusing, and incarcerated: Exploratory study of a comprehensive approach to treatment. Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Human Services, 85, 177-186.
  • Kwarteng-Amaning, V., Svoboda, J., Bachynsky, N., & Linthicum, L. (2019). An alternative to mother and infants behind bars: How one prison nursery program impacted attachment and nurturing for mothers who gave birth while incarcerated. The Journal of Perinatal & Neonatal Nursing, 33(2), 116-125.
  • Laakso, J., & Nygaard, J. (2007). Final report of the Children of Incarcerated Parents Project: How mentoring can make a difference. Washington State Department of Corrections. Contact jlaakso@u.washington.edu.
  • Lopez, C. & Bhat, C. (2007). Supporting students with incarcerated parents in schools: A group intervention. The Journal for Specialists in Group Work, 32, 139.
  • Meek, R. (2007). Parenting education for young fathers in prison. Child and Family Social Work, 12, 239-247.
  • Mott Children’s Health (nd). Project SEEK (Service to Enable and Empower Kids). Flint, MI: Author.
  • Muentner, L., Howland, M., Clark, V., Duwe, G., & Shlafer, R. (2022). Understanding the Needs and Programmatic Interests of Incarcerated Parents: Findings from a Prison Needs Assessment. Corrections, 1-24.
  • Phillips, S. D. (2008). The Bill of Rights for Children of Incarcerated Parents technical assistance project: Contextual factors. Chicago, IL: Jane Addams College of Social Work.
  • Poehlmann, Dallaire, D., Loper, A. B., & Shear, L. D. (2010). Children’s Contact With Their Incarcerated Parents: Research Findings and Recommendations. The American Psychologist, 65(6), 575–598. 
  • Sandifer, J. L. (2008). Evaluating the efficacy of a parenting program for incarcerated mothers. The Prison Journal, 88(3), 423-445.
  • Schubert, E. C., Duininck, M., & Shlafer, R. J. (2016). Visiting Mom: A pilot evaluation of a prison-based visiting program serving incarcerated mothers and their minor children. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 55(4), 213–234.
  • Shlafer, Reedy, T., & Davis, L. (2017). School‐Based Outcomes Among Youth With Incarcerated Parents: Differences by School Setting. The Journal of School Health, 87(9), 687–695. 
  • Showers, J. (1993). Assessing and remedying parenting knowledge among women inmates. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 20, 35-46.
  • Springer, D. W., Lynch, C., & Rubin, A. (2000). Effects of a solution-focused mutual aid group for Hispanic children of incarcerated parents. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 17, 431-442.
  • Stump, K. N., Kupersmidt, J. B., Stelter, R. L., & Rhodes, J. E. (2018). Mentoring Program Enhancements Supporting Effective Mentoring of Children of Incarcerated Parents. American Journal of Community Psychology, 62(1/2), 163–174.
  • Warren, J. M., Coker, G. L., & Collins, M. L. (2019). Children of Incarcerated Parents: Considerations for Professional School Counselors. Professional Counselor, 9(3), 185–199.

Program Evaluation and Intervention Effectiveness Research – Extensive Listing

  • Abram, F. Y., & Linhorst, D. (2008). A process evaluation of collaborative planning for children of prisoners. Administration in Social Work, 32(1), 39-54.
  • Baradon, T., Fonagy, P., Bland, K., Lenard, K., & Sleed, M. (2008). New Beginnings-an experience-based programme addressing the attachment relationship between mothers and their babies in prisons. Journal of Child Psychotherapy, 34, 240.
  • Bush-Baskette, S., & Patino, V. (2004). The National Council on Crime and Delinquency’s Evaluation of the Project Development of National Institute of Correction’s/Child Welfare League of America’s Planning and Intervention Sites Funded to Address Needs of Children of Incarcerated Parents. Oakland: CA: National Council on Crime and Delinquency.
  • Carlson, J. R. (2001). Prison nursery 2000: A five-year review of the prison nursery at the Nebraska Correctional Center for Women. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 33, 75-98.
  • Casey-Acevedo, K., Bakken, T., & Karle, A. (2005). Children visiting mothers in prison: The effects on mothers’ behaviour and disciplinary adjustment. Violence & Abuse Abstracts, 11.

  • Dallaire, D. H., & Shlafer, R. J. (2018). Programs for currently and formerly incarcerated mothers. When Parents Are Incarcerated: Interdisciplinary Research and Interventions to Support Children., 83–107.

  • Davies, E., Brazzell, D., La Vigne, N. G., & Shollenberger, T. (2008). Understanding the experiences and needs of children of incarcerated parents: Views from mentors. Baltimore, MD: The Urban Institute.
  • Eddy, J. M., & Burraston, B. O. (2018). Programs promoting the successful reentry of fathers from jail or prison to home in their communities. In C. Wildeman, A. R. Haskins, & J. Poehlmann-Tynan (Eds.), When parents are incarcerated: Interdisciplinary research and interventions to support children (pp. 109–131). American Psychological Association. 
  • Hairston, C. F., Bates, R., & Lawrence-Wills, S. (2003). Serving incarcerated mothers and their babies in community-based residences. Chicago: Jane Addams College of Social Work, Jane Addams Center for Social Policy and Research.
  • Information Technology International. (2004). Annual evaluation report for the VIP Mentoring Program. Potomac, MD: Author.
  • Kubiak, S. P., Young, A., Siefert, K., & Stewart, A. (2004). Pregnant substance-abusing, and incarcerated: Exploratory study of a comprehensive approach to treatment. Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Human Services, 85, 177-186.
  • Laakso, J., & Nygaard, J. (2007). Final report of the Children of Incarcerated Parents Project: How mentoring can make a difference. Washington State Department of Corrections. Contact jlaakso@u.washington.edu.
  • Lopez, C. & Bhat, C. (2007). Supporting students with incarcerated parents in schools: A group intervention. The Journal for Specialists in Group Work, 32, 139.
  • Meek, R. (2007). Parenting education for young fathers in prison. Child and Family Social Work, 12, 239-247.
  • Mott Children’s Health (nd). Project SEEK (Service to Enable and Empower Kids). Flint, MI: Author.
  • Phillips, S. D. (2008). The Bill of Rights for Children of Incarcerated Parents technical assistance project: Contextual factors. Chicago, IL: Jane Addams College of Social Work.
  • Phillips, S. D. (2008). The Bill of Rights for Children of Incarcerated Parents technical assistance project: Evaluation report. Chicago, IL: Jane Addams College of Social Work.
  • Sandifer, J. L. (2008). Evaluating the efficacy of a parenting program for incarcerated mothers. The Prison Journal, 88(3), 423-445.
  • Showers, J. (1993). Assessing and remedying parenting knowledge among women inmates. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 20, 35-46.
  • Springer, D. W., Lynch, C., & Rubin, A. (2000). Effects of a solution-focused mutual aid group for Hispanic children of incarcerated parents. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 17, 431-442.

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