Children of prisoners: custody
What is the video about?
The video shows how realistic information and keeping in contact with a parent in custody can alleviate high anxiety about their parent’s safety. It shows the practical and emotional difficulties facing the remaining parent when they visit a prison with their children. It considers the type of support that helps a child manage their distress, especially when imprisonment of a parent can mean stigma, secrets and practical hardship.
Messages for practice
- More children are separated from a parent by imprisonment than by divorce.
- Children will feel less anxious if they have realistic information about their parent’s experience of prison.
- Children, and parents, benefit from visiting whilst in custody.
- Arranging and making prison visits as a family is hard work, emotionally, financially and practically.
Who will find this useful?
Probation officers, children’s trusts, prison staff, parents, teachers.