Exploring the needs of children of incarcerated parents

Abstract

Rates of incarceration are growing rapidly all over the world and this is no exception to Malta. This fact brings with it the growing social concern of the increase of children of incarcerated parents and the various effects their parents’ incarceration brings on these children. This research study is the first of its kind in Malta where it seeks to highlight the necessity for more attention to the needs of this particular group of children, when their parents are sent to prison. These needs need to be explored, addressed and eventually met. This would help to break the cycle of intergeneration incarceration. Children want to be heard but it seems that, to date, nobody is hearing their plea. In order to fulfil this urge, this study adopted a qualitative approach where 12 interviews were conducted. Although this study focuses solely on the needs of children of incarcerated parents, these children were not interviewed due to ethical reasons since this is a topic which is very sensitive and thus could cause unnecessary suffering to the children. The participants are all people who, somehow or other, have close contacts with these children. Six of these participants are professionals who work closely with these children, therefore, they know their personalities very well and the other six participants, three males and three females, are incarcerated parents at Corradino Correctional Facility. The needs explored in this research are all related to children aged between 10 and 16, therefore, during their adolescence phase. The main findings acquired through the data of the interviews reveal that these children suffer from various emotional, psychological and health issues such as shame and stigma, bullying, loneliness, trauma that incarceration brings with it, worries and fears. Furthermore, it was pointed out that the legal system, at present, does not seem to consider the feelings and emotions of these children, especially during the arrest of the parents and in police raids at home. The recommendations presented in this dissertation help to raise awareness, first and foremost, that these children need to be acknowledged as children who need special care and attention and, secondly, that the legal system has to work hand in hand with the state and the agencies responsible for the well-being of these children to implement programmes tailored specifically for their needs. Suggestions for further studies, which would help to give more insight to this field, are also made.