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 42
This peer reviewed article investigates father and child criminal careers using statistical methodology that compares groups over time.
It shows that children of random and chronic offenders have a notably higher conviction rate than children whose fathers do not offend. However, in contradictions to projections from intergenerational theories and studies, which look at the underlying reasons for offending, fathers who offended chronically did not have more chronically offending children than fathers who offended randomly. The results conclude that while there is strong case for intergenerational offending, it is simply because the father has a conviction and not dependent on how many he has. If you have access to SagePub see here for Intergenerational Transmission of Criminal Behaviour.
See below for open access to Intergenerational Transmission of Criminal Behaviour:
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This peer reviewed article looks, quantitatively, at the ways the transmission of criminal behaviour occurs by exploring specific times and frequencies of criminal behaviour as well as risk factors.
It explains that the lack of crime related risk factors for children whose parents have never been convicted, means they are much less likely to have convictions themselves than children whose parents had convictions before they were even born. Further, it notes that when their parents are convicted, children aged between 7 and 13 years, are slightly more likely to show criminal behaviour than children whose parents had been convicted at any other time in their lives. Essentially, this study shows that there is no key period of time for a parents conviction which heightens the likelihood of their children convicting. The results suggest the need for further study into intergenerational transmission of criminal behaviour that considers static and dynamic explanations and criminal environment and risk factors. For access via Taylor & Francis online see The Impact of Timing.
For open access via Researchgate see The Impact of Timing below:
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This Big Lottery funded study looks at resettlement of fathers. The article considers previous studies which have shown that parental imprisonment is a risk factor in the development in familial relationships and conversely considers the benefits to viewing families with strong ties as a resource for protecting children of prisoners and reducing reoffending.
The study is the first longitudinal study in the UK and Europe to investigate the positive and negative outcomes for parents and children using data collected from them. It considers the quality of family relationships, contact during imprisonment, communication and problem solving, parenting and care-giving, social support networks, stigmatisation, finances, employment, housing, participation in support programmes, health issues, social behaviour and other factors. The aim of the research is to increase knowledge of such processes and to assist the National Offender Management Service and third sector to develop more effective interventions for imprisoned fathers, their (ex)partners and their children.
See Risk and protective factors in the resettlement of imprisoned fathers below:
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This Big Lottery Funded study focuses on under-researched groups of children and the kin carers who look after them when their parents are unable to (one reason being that their parent(s) are in prison).
The official number of children in England referred by children's services to live with kin is less than 7,000. However, those living "informally" with friends or relative carers as privately arranged by family is estimated at 200-300,000 in England and Wales. The report looks at how well the needs of these children and their carers are met and examines what services or financial support may be needed to enhance the children's development and reduce negative impact on the family. The study looks at 2001 Census Data to analyse characteristics of children and kin care households. In addition standardised and measured interviews were conducted with 80 8-18 year olds, who live under informal kinship care, to uncover their views about what would make their outcomes better. Only 8% of children in this study have a parent in prison, however, many of the issues uncovered are the same across kinship caring households. Interviews were also conducted with the carers. The aim of the research for Buttle UK is to influence national policy and local practice to improve circumstances and outcomes for children and in turn their informal kinship carers.
See The Poor Relations below:
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This research was conducted in Scotland although it can be read and learned from by people from any country.
It notes that in Scotland in 2009 there were more children with a parent in prison than experiencing divorce, and explores the idea that separation as a result of parental imprisonment is traumatic for those children. The report looks at literature around this trauma including the likeliness of these children developing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and offending behaviours in later life. The researcher interviewed a small sample of children, young people and some carers. The findings were concerned with experiences e.g. grandparental care of children, the want for their views being taken into account by a judge and the impact the imprisonment of a parent has had on them e.g. levels of anxiety. The report concludes that children's rights, views and best interests must be taken into account in the event of parental imprisonment and makes recommendations for Scottish Policy, courts, remand and sentencing.
See Perspectives of Children below:
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This research was conducted in light of the fact that charities help facilitate contact and visits to family members inside, who are 39% less likely to re-offend as a result, but measuring the difference charities make can be difficult due to poor recording and lack of available funds for evaluation purposes.
Think NPC worked with 6 charities (Action for Prisoners' Families, Kids VIP, pact, POPS, Safe Ground and Storybook Dads) to identify common frameworks of understanding and key areas of measurement including; changes in family relationships and experience of those visiting. Think NPC devised 2 questionnaires. The findings reveal which programmes worked for the families. Recommendations are around the government improving measurement, developing the measurement tools such as the one designed as part of the research and developing a shared approach to measurement e.g. flexibility.
Read about this shared measurement approach below:
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