Incarcerated Parents Are Not the Only Ones Who Are Punished: A Resource List for Families

From Youthcast Media Group

When a mother or father is incarcerated, they are not the only ones who are punished: Their children also suffer far-reaching side effects from having a parent behind bars.

According to 2017 research by the National Institutes of Health, 2.7 million students currently have a parent incarcerated. And one in every 10 students in the U.S> has had a parent in prison at some point in their lives. A majority of the adults in federal prisons (57%) had minor children, as did 47% of individuals incarcerated in state prisons.

Far more fathers (626,800) are incarcerated than mothers (57,700), according to the study.

Several other research studies show the many struggles children and teens go through when having an incarcerated parent.

A 2011 study funded by the National Institutes of Mental Health found that 49% of students between the ages of 9 and 14 who have an incarcerated parent experience difficulties in school, leading to detention or even suspension. About 45% of these students tend to show little or no interest in school or their academic life, the study found.

One of the most immediate problems is the loss of income. A 2024 analysis by Inmate Aid, a nonprofit organization for inmates and their families, found that children in families with an imprisoned parent may start having financial struggles, causing children to have to suddenly move and require social help.

Inmate Aid also says children with incarcerated parents deal with depression, stress and low self-esteem and developmental issues. Its research also mentions a child’s mixed emotions related to a parent’s absence, often resulting in confusion, anger and even feelings of abandonment. Although most children want to reunite with their beloved parents, there are some cases in which that may be impossible.

Several organizations and resources exist to help children with incarcerated parents including:

The National Resource Center on Children and Families of the Incarcerated. Based out of Rutgers University, this clearinghouse provides studies, fact sheets and resources for children and families dealing with incarcerated parents.

Sesame Street has also developed several resources for families with an incarcerated parent, including

Little Children, Big Challenges: Incarceration (A Guide to Support Parents and Caregivers)
Tips for Parents and Caregivers

Youth.gov provides several resources for families with an incarcerated parent:

And readers, feel free to write in and suggest more!