The Impact of Incarceration on Children's Care: A Strategic Framework for Good Care Planning

The incarceration of a parent can have both immediate and long-term effects on children. Australian government policies, legal processes and administrative guidelines are limited in their responses on how to transfer care responsibilities upon the arrest, remand or imprisonment of a primary carer. Appropriate care planning can minimize the impact of changes in living and schooling arrangements, as well as improving contact with an incarcerated parent. Better care planning can also reduce parent recidivism and the likelihood of children entering the criminal justice system. This project will research best practice in care planning for children of incarcerated primary carers, and will develop a strategic framework for policy and practice.