All research and evidence on NICCO is reviewed using a Quality Assessment Tool (QAT) developed by the University of Huddersfield and Barnardo's.
Research and evidence is assessed in four key areas: Methodological Quality, Child-Centredness, Relevance to Policy and Strategy, and Relevance to Practice with offender's children. This ensures that items on the NICCO website are as useful as possible to academics, practitioners, commissioners and other professionals. For more information about the development of the QAT or to review research in order to list it on NICCO, please see the QAT webpage where you can download the Tool, Guidebook and a short step-by-step 'How To' document. Please contact us to submit quality assessed research on to NICCO.
Click on the icons to see a full list of items which have been awarded a standard icon or icon+ (for items which have scored particularly highly) in each key area:
Results 7 - 12 of 37
This is a key peer reviewed study into Children of Prisoners which notes that children are often victims of their parent's imprisonment. Further, the relationship between children and their imprisoned fathers has been ignored in research (previous to this) in particular and the views of the children in question are often not accounted for nor reflected in findings.
This National Research thoroughly examines the role the imprisoned fathers play in the parenting of their children, including a vital exploration of children's opinions and experiences. The article outlines these things whilst also touching on what it means for those who are part of systems involved in sentencing, prison visits, schools and social support.
Access Imprisoned Fathers here if you have a Wiley log in:
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This piece of research is part of a wider series of studies into Women in Prison and Children of Imprisoned Mothers, which is conducted in collaboration between other Quaker and Criminal Justice organisations.
It looks at studies conducted in English speaking countries (predominately UK and USA) concerning the impact of the imprisonment of a parent on their Children. The report focuses on four main areas; firstly an over view of the impact of imprisonment on children is given, secondly research into the effects of certain aspects of pre-imprisonment on children (arrest, pre-trial detention, trial and sentencing) are examined, then thirdly the report considers the challenges for children during imprisonment (maintaining family relationships, visiting, death row, children living in prison, poverty) and lastly the study looks at the impact on children after a parent comes out of prison (return of the parent, re-offending and offences committed by the child). Examples of 'good practice' are highlighted throughout the report, as are recommendations concerning the aspects highlighted above as well as on education and around care giving.
See the impact of parental imprisonment on children below:
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This report presents the case studies of 15 families in Bristol where the father is in prison. The report aims to raise awareness of the emotional and practical impact that the imprisonment of a father has on his children and family, and seeks to explore the appropriate responses that relevant agencies should provide.
Based on in depth interviews with mothers and children, the report draws out some of the main challenges and concerns associated with having a father in prison. The identified challenges included poverty issues, stresses on the mother, telling the school and visiting. The report includes extensive quotes from the families interviewed. Implications for practice and policy are drawn out from the analysis of the interviews. These include identification of families at a local level, support for families on the father's release and support for children's emotional wellbeing.
See Every Night You Cry below:
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This research comes from an International Children's Rights Perspective and considers the gender specific issues for children when a father is imprisoned.
The research was conducted in light of the fact that the majority of imprisoned parents are fathers but also because a large amount of previous research from Quaker United Nations Office had been focused on mothers in prison. The research looks at aspects such as Children around the world who live with their fathers in prison, children on the outside (Contact and prevention of contact by other family members, state care, gender discrimination e.g. quality of visits and over night stays for children with imprisoned mothers), the effects of parental imprisonment (economic factors, other carers, health, views of the child, intergenerational offending, pre existing risk factors), the concepts of fatherhood, young fathers, release and reintegration. This report highlights changes in good practice and policy in the US, UK and Europe and considers shortfalls before going to discuss recommendations around the areas of the law, children in prisons with their fathers, alternatives to being in custody, support schemes, contact, resettlement and further research into the area.
See Children Need Dads Too below:
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This report looks at and aims to raise awareness of the realities of having a parent in prison.
In-depth interviews were conducted with Mothers and Children with a Father in prison. The findings are analysed within the five Every Child Matters outcomes which include economic achievement, enjoying and achieving, being healthy, staying safe and making positive contributions. Challenges around maintaining family ties are also found and discussed here. The report holds many quotes from the Mothers and Children interviewed. Implications for policy and practice are highlighted, such as the recording of children of offenders and the courts' responsibility to take children's wellbeing into consideration when sentencing.
See Every Night You Cry below:
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This report presents the case studies of 15 families in Devon where the father is in prison.
The report aims to raise awareness of the emotional and practical impact that the imprisonment of a father has on his children and family, and also seeks to influence other agencies about the needs of these children. Based on in depth interviews with mothers and children, the report draws out some of the main impacts associated with having a father in prison - impact on the mother, impact on the children, maintaining invisibility, visiting and support. The report identifies learning points emerging from the interviews, which include poverty impacts on families, children knowing about prison and support networks. The report includes extensive quotes from the children and mothers interviewed.
See 'She just cries and cries' below:
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