What are the challenges to children and parents associated with discharge from prison?

The effects of parental incarceration on children do not end with a parent’s discharge from prison. Approximately 650,000 people are released from state and federal prisons annually, and a much larger number are released

from local jails. Many parents who are discharged from prisons intend to reunite with their minor children, but may not anticipate the difficulties associated with doing so. Former inmates face immense challenges, both

internal and external, to build productive lives for themselves, including finding jobs, housing and health care and avoiding further involvement with the criminal justice system. Many grapple with paying off debts that have accumulated during imprisonment, including child support arrangement's, criminal fines, court and legal fees, and restitution. These challenges have been extensively documented and discussed elsewhere.

      Re-entry can be even more daunting for women with children than for men. Compared to male former inmates, women are more likely to be dealing with the psychological effects of past trauma and abuse and are more likely to have abused drugs, alcohol or both at the time of imprisonment. At the same time, reunification with children is likely to be a more important part of re-entry for women than it is for men.

      Prisoner re-entry also can be challenging and stressful for children. Children grow, change and often form relationships with new parental figures during a parent’s incarceration. These parental figures—and perhaps other family members—often are reluctant to allow a child to re-establish a relationship with a parent upon release. Such family conflicts can destabilize already fragile families and leave children confused and torn. More important, the return of a violent offender can increase the risk that a child will be subjected or exposed to domestic violence.