Oral

This session will highlight the impact of the incarceration of women on their children and families. Women of childbearing age are the fastest growing segment of the incarcerated population. Between 1990 and 1999, the female prison population grew 106%, compared to 75% for men (Dalley, 2002). Overall, 80% of incarcerated women are in their childbearing years, and at least 6% are pregnant at arrest, a number that is known to be low because jails do not routinely test for pregnancy (Schroeder and Bell, 2005). The deleterious effects of maternal incarceration on children are just beginning to be investigated and include emotional and behavioral disturbance, attachment disruption, academic problems, internalizing problems, aggressive behavior and depression. Children of incarcerated parents are more likely to end up in the criminal justice system themselves and to have long-term consequences that impact their success in school and later life. In the first presentation, Dr. Jane Siegel will provide an overview of the impact of incarceration on children and families and will discuss the findings of a qualitative study conducted on 68 children of incarcerated mothers. Next, Ann Adalist-Estrin will discuss the needs of children and families of incarcerated parents and will provide the policy and practical implications of this population. Danyell Williams will discuss the MOMobile at Riverside™, an innovate program serving the families of incarcerated women in the Philadelphia community. Our moderator, JoAnne Fischer, Executive Director of the Maternity Care Coalition, will leave time for a comprehensive discussion surrounding these issues and their impact on the systems of public health, including programming, advocacy, research and direct medical care.

Session Objectives: 1 - Describe the impact of incarceration on children 2 - Discuss needs of children and families of incarcerated parents 3 - Describe the policy and practical implications of this population and how one program has tried to meet these needs.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH)