After Incarceration: Adolescent-Parent Reunification

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.