Caregiver Reports on the Needs and Experiences of Children Impacted by Parental Incarceration: Results From an Australian Survey

ABSTRACT Children experiencing parental imprisonment are known to be among the most overlooked in our community. They often experience multiple and compounding disadvantages, with long‐term consequences, but receive no specialised assistance. Knowledge about these children and their families is lacking in Australia and is required to inform policy development. This study presents data on the characteristics, needs, and experiences of children with an imprisoned parent, from the perspective of the children's caregiver. An online anonymous survey with 94 caregivers of dependent children with an imprisoned parent suggests that, while families may be connected to the imprisoned parent, children experience considerable intersecting stressors affecting their daily lives and engagement with the community. For instance, caregiver participants describe the children they care for as living in stressed households and often absent from school. When the children do attend school, internalising and externalising behaviours can create further social and learning challenges. Experiences of anxiety and bullying can also create barriers to school attendance and lead to bullying or other violence; this sometimes causes suspension or expulsion from school at rates higher than the wider community, and having contact with the police and/or youth justice agencies at a higher rate than the general youth population. These findings highlight that many families with children experiencing parental imprisonment need immediate support and consideration from correctional agencies, schools, and the community.