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 26
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 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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You will need a log in to Wiley Online Library to access the full article.
In light of the extensive research into parent-child relationships in the context of imprisonment of either and knowledge of the negative effects this can have on both, this peer-reviewed article reports on the under researched social and psychological effects of having a sibling in custody. This research in particular was conducted to enhance understanding of the needs and experiences of children who have a sibling inside. It is based on qualitative psychological analysis of the accounts of eight young people between the ages of 9 and 17 who had an older brother in custody. The key themes identified are the emotional response to a sibling being taken into custody, hesitance in disclosing information to teachers and peers, and perceptions of their own behaviour when taking their siblings imprisonment into account. Findings are considered along side policy implications and recommendations for those working with young people in the area of criminal justice.
Read about siblings' experiences of an older brother inside below:
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This peer reviewed article notes that while statutory services support for children of prisoners is key, it is likely to be minimal and that decisions around provision are made according to local circumstance e.g. budgets, need, local politics etc.
The researchers used a typology of different cultures which ground local authority service provision for children of prisoners and identify the gaps and problems within attempts to align different services into a clear provision pattern in one local authority. There is an exploration of how a change in strategic culture can lead to improvements in service provision. Read about Strategic Planning for support services on Wiley online if you have access.
Download Stategic Planning for support services below:
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