Parenting Programs in Women's Prisons

This paper presents the results of a national survey of parenting programs in women's prisons. Parenting programs may be defined as those programs that specifically address the woman's role as mother and attempt to facilitate her performance of that role, and/or aid in the development of parental skills. These programs range from parenting classes of a few hours to nurseries where imprisoned women and their infants can live together during the term of imprisonment. The need for such programs is also discussed.