Publications for Families
Publications for Families include original documents for children, parents, children's caregivers and families. These materials are offered free of charge to members of families involved in the criminal justice system.
Families & Criminal Justice Publications
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Booklist for Children of Prisoners. A list of books about parental incarceration for children of all ages. [Free]
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FCJ Family Contracts. Written for families. Provides guidance for developing family agreements on child care and custody during family separations. Includes parent-caregiver, parent-child, caregiver-child and whole family contracts. [Free]
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Jail & Prison Visiting Series
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Parent-Child Visits in Jails. Discusses parent-child visits in local and county jails where physical contact is not allowed and examines the effects of parent-child jail visits. Provides visiting guidelines. [Free]
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Parent-Child Visits in Prisons. Discusses parent-child visits in state and federal correctional facilities, and examines the effects of parent-child prison visits. Provides visiting guidelines. [Free]
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Should Children Visit Incarcerated Parents? A review of the arguments for and against parent-child visits in jails and prisons. Includes references and suggested reading. [Free]
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StreetReady Mothers. New! A re-entry handbook for transitioning and formerly-incarcerated mothers. Available October 1, 2013. [Free]
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Where's Daddy? Telling a Child About Paternal Arrest & Incarceration. Includes sections on why, when and how to tell children about their father's involvement in the criminal justice system. References and suggested reading are provided. [Free]
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Where's Mommy? Telling a Child About Maternal Arrest & Incarceration. Includes sections on why, when and how to tell children about their mother's involvement in the criminal justice system. References and suggested reading are provided. [Free]
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Parental Incarceration: Personal Accounts and Developmental Impact.
Center for Children of Incarcerated Parents Publications
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Selecting a Temporary Caregiver for Your Baby. Guidelines for pregnant, incarcerated mothers who will give birth in the jail or prison. [Free]
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What About the Kids? Information for Arrested Parents. A booklet about arrest-related child placement and custody issues. [Free]
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When Incarcerated Parents Lose Contact with Their Children. Originally published in Prison Legal News, this paper provides step-by-step instructions for prisoners who are searching for their children. [Free]
Prison Match Publications
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The Prison MATCH Parenting Series. Almost 40 years old, this set of documents from the original parent-child prison visitation program still provides incarcerated parents with useful guidance. Includes:
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Telling Your Child You're In Prison [Free]
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Visiting with Your Child [Free]
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Writing to Your Child [Free]
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I Know How You Feel...Because This Happened to Me. A 1984 collection of stories by children who experienced the incarceration of their mothers, this is a moving and powerful publication that is still timely. [Free]