Parent-child contact during parent’s incarceration: A study of children of incarcerated parents in Southern Ghana

Afua AMANKWAA*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Journal PublicationsJournal Article (refereed)peer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Separation due to incarceration may lead to strain on parent-child relationship which can be curtailed through contact maintenance between incarcerated parent and their children. Using a qualitative approach, this study explores children’s contact maintenance with their incarcerated parents during parental incarceration. Data was collected via in-depth interviews with children who had parents incarcerated in the Kumasi central prison, Kumasi female prison, Manhyia local prison and Ahinsan camp prison and their caregivers. A thematic analysis of interviews with 17 children of incarcerated parents and 10 caregivers yielded three major themes concerning parent-child contact maintenance during parental incarceration: means of maintaining contact, obstacles to contact maintenance and preferred means of contact by children. The study recommends the need for the state to improve regulations regarding children’s contact maintenance with their incarcerated parents. Further recommendations are made.
Original languageEnglish
Article number104643
Number of pages7
JournalChildren and Youth Services Review
Volume109
Early online date1 Nov 2019
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2020

Bibliographical note

I appreciate all staff and inmates of the Kumasi Central Prison, Kumasi Female Prison, Manhyia Local Prison and Ahinsan Camp Prison who participated in this study. Appreciation also goes to all children and caregivers who were interviewed.

Keywords

  • Children
  • Contact maintenance
  • Parental incarceration
  • Prison
  • Separation

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