Second-Generation Prisoners: Adjustment Patterns for Inmates With a History of Parental Incarceration

• NCJ Number: 235918
• Author(s): Ann Booker Loper, Caitlin M. Novero, Janet I. Warren
• Date Published: August 2011
• Length: 18 pages
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Award: Risk Markers for Sexual Vulnerability and Violence in Prison: Development of a Risk Classification System for Male and Female InmatesResearch on Prison Sexual ViolenceU.S. Department of Justice

Annotation

This study examined first- and second-generation prisoners on prison adjustment.

Abstract

The authors investigated whether prisoners who had a parent in prison, “second-generation prisoners,” had poorer rates of adjustment compared to those inmates who did not report a history of parental incarceration. Among a sample of 459 men and women in prison, approximately half reported having had a parent in prison or jail. There was considerable self-reported childhood adversity within the entire sample, with relatively higher levels reported by the second-generation prisoner group. Second-generation prisoners self-reported more anger and prison violence and demonstrated a greater presence of institutional rule breaking in comparison to first-generation prisoners. Results were maintained after statistical control for the high rates of adversities in childhood. Post hoc analysis revealed differences on adjustment variables between first-generation prisoners and individuals with a mother incarcerated or with both parents incarcerated, suggesting the pronounced impact of maternal incarceration on long-term well-being. Results indicate that the negative effects of parental incarceration are evident within the prison community and have a significant relationship to inmates’ adjustment while incarcerated. (Published Abstract)