Block K J, Potthast M J
Division of Criminology, Criminal Justice, and Social Policy, University of Baltimore, MD., USA.
Child Welfare. 1998 Sep-Oct;77(5):561-78.
Distant prison locations, inconvenient visiting schedules, and the negative effects of a mother's imprisonment on her children often complicate the child welfare professional's work with the children of incarcerated mothers. Enhanced prison visiting programs offer a mechanism to support the mother-child relationship, facilitate reunification efforts, and assist with permanency planning. The article discusses one such program, Girl Scouts Beyond Bars, in relation to the problem of mother-child separation via imprisonment; traditional visiting practices; and the issues confronting child welfare professionals serving the children of imprisoned mothers.
