This article examines how contact visits between fathers in prison and their children affect fathers’ views of their relationship with their children. The sample of fathers derives from the Multi-site Family Study on Incarceration, Parenting and Partnering (MFS-IP). Propensity score matching is used to select a demographically comparable sample of fathers from the data set. Two of the three propensity score models provided positive and significant results. The study findings indicated that fathers participating in in-person visits with their focal child at the 9-month interview increased modestly the probability of fathers reporting a positive relationship with their focal child at the 34-month follow-up interview. This study provides insights for social workers, correctional personnel, and policymakers, indicating that family contact is essential to family-strengthening services and beneficial for incarcerated fathers and their children.
Branden A. McLeod (Sun,) studied this question.