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Paternal imprisonment creates a significant risk for the intergenerational transmission of offending. However, there is little research on the mechanisms underpinning this risk, including how paternal imprisonment interrupts parenting and father-child relationships. Culturally relevant research is also essential in the context of high imprisonment rates of Indigenous Australian men. We conducted interviews with 41 Indigenous Australian fathers from two prisons in North (Queensland to examine their identities as fathers in prison and the barriers associated with maintaining nlationships with their children. Findings are discussed in relation to contact and distance; intergenerational absence of fathers; paternal involvement through play, care and culture; and diminished opportunities for men's parental and cultural generativity. We consider the implications of the findings for children's well-being.

Purpose Rising prison populations worldwide have led to an increasing body of research about the well-being of children of prisoners. Research to date has demonstrated that the consequences of parental imprisonment for children are significant and long lasting, often extending beyond the imprisonment period and into adulthood. However, research examining the association between parental imprisonment and offspring health problems and mortality is lacking. Moreover, no research to date has examined the association between parental imprisonment and premature mortality among adults. Methods Using a Dutch multigenerational sample, this study aimed to extend existing literature by examining the link between parental imprisonment and offspring mortality up to age 65, while controlling for parental criminality. Results Results indicated that children of imprisoned parents were significantly more likely to die prematurely than children of both non-criminal and criminal but non-imprisoned parents. Conclusions These findings implicate that the mortality risk is not the consequence of the parental criminal behavior but is specifically related to the incarceration of the parent. Further research is required to examine the mechanisms at play for the increased risk of premature mortality for children of prisoners. This research has important implications for health-related early interventions and criminal justice policy.

Purpose Parental incarceration is detrimental to most, but not all, children. The mechanisms that drive these findings are largely unknown, but may relate to changes in the parent-child relationship during imprisonment. Furthermore, a parent’s incarceration may serve to “knife off” or restrict opportunities for parenting post-release and for developing non-offending scripts for the future. Our aim was to examine proximal processes between fathers and their children during the imprisonment period in order to understand opportunities for, and disruptions to, parent and child development in the correctional context. Method Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 64 imprisoned fathers across three prisons in Queensland (Australia). Using Bronfenbrenner’s PPCT model, proximal processes were explored in relation to (1) the communication and parenting skills of the father; (2) the prison and family context; and (3) time intervals for exposure (i.e. father-child contact). Results An absence of developmentally promotive proximal processes characterised many father-child relationships, as well as proximal processes that have the potential to be disruptive to the development of both the father and child/ren. However, some men described high quality, meaningful exchanges with their children through regular visits in a setting conducive to play-based interactions, supplemented by frequent phone calls and letters, all of which was heavily supported by caregivers. Conclusions Proximal processes were influenced most notably by context, specifically that of prison policies and for some, problematic relationships with caregivers. While further elucidation of the theory is required, the study highlights the need for prison to be considered as a developmental context for parenting.

Paternal imprisonment creates a significant risk for the intergenerational transmission of offending. However, there is little research on the mechanisms underpinning this risk, including how paternal imprisonment interrupts parenting and father-child relationships. Culturally relevant research is also essential in the context of high imprisonment rates of Indigenous Australian men. We conducted interviews with 41 Indigenous Australian fathers from two prisons in North Queensland to examine their identities as fathers in prison and the barriers associated with maintaining relationships with their children. Findings are discussed in relation to contact and distance; intergenerational absence of fathers; paternal involvement through play, care and culture; and diminished opportunities for men's parental and cultural generativity. We consider the implications of the findings for children's well-being. Reprinted by permission of Oxford University Press