Re-entry: From Prison to Home: CD Description
Length: one hour
Type: presentation
Trainer: Ann Adalist-Estrin, NRCCFI at FCN Director
Date: 5/18/04
Cost: $75
When a parent is released from jail or prison, what happens to children and their families?
Key factors include
- the quality of the attachment to that parent before and during incarceration;
- the extent of the trauma created by the parent’s offence, arrest and imprisonment;
- whether the relationship was maintained during the incarceration; and
- the presence and quality of protective factors and support.
Other important considerations are
- The child’s age and developmental patterns;
- the family’s coping styles;
- stages of re-entry adaptation; and
- typical feelings experiences by family members.
Case examples and participants experiences will be used to look at:
- Assessing Risks and Protective factors.
- Exploring the role of community programs.
The impact of various systems that effect children and families of prisoners in the re-entry period will also be explored as well as strategies for advocacy and program development.
RE-ENTRY STORY
Danella’s dad was incarcerated for 3 years. She had visited often and the entire family welcomed Dad home with open arms. For several weeks, things went smoothly. Danella (age 7) wanted to make her father happy. She was cooperative and helpful.
She also woke up every night and insisted on being allowed into her parents’ bed.
She wasn’t prepared for the resentment she felt toward her Dad now that she and her Mom were no longer “a team.” This created tension and disagreements between Mom and Dad. Dad also wanted to discipline Danella.
Mom resented Dad’s interference with the child rearing tasks that had been her responsibility for 3 years.
