After Incarceration: Adolescent-Parent Reunification
By Gretchen Newby, M.A.
The Prevention Researcher,
Volume 13, Number 2, 2006, Pages 18-20, Item# A132-NEWBY
While children usually look forward to the day when the family is reunited after a parent has been incarcerated, reunification signals yet another stage in a long adjustment process that can be especially difficult for adolescents. Unrealistic expectations and the emotional residue of trauma and separation impact reunification.
Dealing with their own developmental issues, adolescents are also struggling with the emotional residue of parental incarceration. There have been few studies about their emotional and social experience, and so most information is anecdotal and comes from the experience of practitioners.
The incarcerated parents' participation in parenting programs, regular parent-child contact and support during reunification seems to increase potential for a successful transition.
Caregivers, teachers, therapists and other practitioners can help with the adjustment to reunification by providing information, understanding, and assistance in forming realistic expectations.
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This article can be found in the issue:
Adolescents with Incarcerated Parents
The Prevention Researcher,
Volume 13, Number 2, 2006
In 1997, roughly 2 in every 100 U.S. children had a parent in prison. However, this number misses those youth whose parent is in jail or is on probation or parole. Incarceration rates have increased fourfold in the past 30 years, and those who are incarcerated are serving longer sentences (and thus are removed from their families for longer periods of time). This issue of The Prevention Researcher focuses on parental incarceration and reentry, and examines ways that those who work with youth may assist them through this difficult time.
This issue also featured these articles:
- After Incarceration: Adolescent-Parent Reunification, Pages 18-20
- Providing Support to Adolescent Children with Incarcerated Parents, Pages 7-10
- Resilience of Girls with Incarcerated Mothers: The Impact of Girl Scouts, Pages 11-14
- Rights and Needs of Children of Incarcerated Parents, Pages 15-17
- Youth with Incarcerated Parents: An Introduction to the Issues, Pages 3-6
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