Understanding Families Impacted by Incarceration: Use of a Unique Data Source (Research Note)

• NCJ Number: 252398
• Journal: Families in Society-the Journal of Contemporary Social Services Volume: 98 Issue: 2 Dated: 2017 Pages: 97-101
• Author(s): Cheri J. Shapiro; Dana Dehart
• Date Published: 2017
• Length: 5 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2012-IJCX-0034
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)

Annotation

This article introduces the Impact of Incarceration (IOI) project, using integrated administrative data that spans justice and service systems in a single state for prisoners (N = 18,790) and their visiting family members (N = 40,488).

Abstract

Incarceration in the United States impacts millions of prisoners and families. Although research demonstrates an impact of incarceration on children of inmates, practice and policy implications drawn from this research are limited. Prisons do not routinely track children and families of inmates, making it difficult to identify those impacted. Also, research usually does not separate the impact of incarceration from predisposing risks and other confounds. In introducing the IOI project, which is an effort to address this research gap, the current article describes the project's methodology, preliminary data, and implications for improving the well-being of prisoners and their families. (Publisher abstract modified)