Understanding the Impacts and Experiences of Children Currently Experiencing Parental Imprisonment

It is estimated that over 100,000 children in England and Wales are separated from their parents due to parental imprisonment, now recognised as an adverse childhood experience that can have multifaceted challenges for the families and children associated.

Separation from a parent under any circumstance can be experienced by a child as distressing and traumatic, however, researchers have likened the experience and impacts of parental imprisonment to losing a parent to death or divorce. Parental imprisonment is an ambiguous loss for a child, and is often characterised by the sudden loss of an attachment figure, however, this is coupled with stigmatisation and discrimination associated with offending. A considerable research base focusing on the non-offending partners has highlighted that the imprisonment of a loved one can result in experiences of disenfranchised grief, stigmatisation, and symptoms of trauma. It is possible that children may internalise the stigma attached to having a parent in prison, or the offence committed, which can result in low self-esteem, self-worth, and increased isolation, however, there remains scarce research focusing on children's experiences of parental separation by imprisonment, and how they make sense of this.

Utilising quantitative methods, research has found that parental imprisonment is associated with increased rates of mental health problems, major depression and attention disorders in comparison to the general population. Similarly, research has found that following parental imprisonment, children experienced depression, difficulties attending and concentration in school, chronic sleeplessness, loneliness, increased substance misuse, and financial challenges. In comparison to the general population, prisoners are also more likely to have experienced socioeconomic disadvantages, mental health problems, and marital difficulties, which are all found to be risk factors for mental health problems in children. Research supported this, suggesting that parental imprisonment has a disproportionate impact on children associated as a result of imprisonment magnifying existing social and economic disadvantages. It is therefore possible that pre-existing factors to parental imprisonment impact on child outcomes, and that parental imprisonment acts as a catalyst.

Despite a body of quantitative research attempting to understand the impacts of parental imprisonment on child outcomes, much is still unknown of a child's own experiences of parental imprisonment. An emerging evidence base has utilised qualitative methods with children, finding contrasting results. Children reported that parental imprisonment was a negative experience resulting in financial challenges, lack of support, and reduced academic opportunities, whilst others shared that parental imprisonment was a positive experience.

It is clear from the evidence base that children impacted by parental imprisonment are not a homogenous group, and research is required to understand the experiences of parental imprisonment on a child, within the context of individual risk and protective factors.