Developmental differences in children’s visits with parents in jail

The United States has the largest population of individuals who are incarcerated in the world; the majority are parents of minor children. This exploratory, mixed methods study described developmental differences in visiting experiences among children and parents in jail. The sample included 101 child-caregiver-parent in jail triads. Children were 3–17 years (M = 7.32, SD = 3.64 years; 52 % female). Researchers administered the Jail Prison Observation Checklist (quantitative data) and wrote open-ended descriptions of visits (qualitative data). Logistic regression revealed that younger child age was associated with increased likelihood of attachment behaviors (e.g., holding hands) and dysregulation (e.g., whining). Older child age related to higher likelihood of serious/somber affect. Qualitative themes situated in an ecological systems framework included child characteristics, attachment with caregivers and parents in jail, family interactions, jail talk, saying goodbye, caregiver stress, parent-caregiver interactions, and corrections environments. This study highlighted the importance of developmental considerations while supporting children with parents in jail.