Family & Corrections Network

The Fourth North American Conference on the Family & Corrections

Table of Contents

October 10-12, 1993 Quebec City, Quebec, Canada

WOMEN IN PRISON: A PARENTING PROGRAM MODEL/

Les detenues: un modele de programme pour parents

Christine Bertolo-Newsom, Parenting Coordinator, Franklin Pre-Release Centre Wilmington College, 1800 Harmon Ave., Columbus, OH 43223, (614) 445-8600

Women in Prison (les femmes en prison) constituent un sujet rarement etudie, mais qui exige d'urgence l'attention de tous ceux qui participent aux programmes relatifs aux familles et aux enfants. D'une maniere generale, la societe d'aujourd'hui ignore en quoi consiste la vie en prison, et beaucoup prefereraient ne rien savoir des detenus, de leur famille et des conditions de detention. La formation a ete concue non seulement pour faire mieux comprendre la multitude des problemes auxquels font face les femmes incarcerees et leurs enfants, mais aussi pour donner aux organismes de services sociaux l'occasion d'examiner de nouvelles facons de traiter les familles a risque.

La formation comprend la presentation d'un documentaire poignant intitule They're Doing My Time, qui presente un examen detaille de nombreux aspects du sort des femmes incarcerees et des repercussions sur leurs enfants.

De plus, la formation est axe sur un programme d'education parentale en trois etapes offert aux femmes incarcerees par le Wilmington College au Franklin Pre-release Centre de Columbus (Ohio). Les points saillants du cours sont Inner Child and Multi-dysfunction - Childhood Development and Growth - Effective Parenting Techniques. Les femmes sont encouragees a se pencher sur leur passe, a apprendre a reconnaitre les modeles de comportement positif et negatif appliques par ceux qui pris soin d'elles dans leur enfance ainsi que les comportements et les modes de relations negatifs qu'elles ont acquis dans un environnement dysfonctionnel.

Women in Prison is a topic that is rarely discussed but one that needs urgent attention by all involved with programs that work with families and children. Today's society is generally ignorant of incarcerated life, and many would prefer to sweep inmates, their families, and prison conditions under the mat. This session was designed not only to create a new awareness and sensitivity to the multitude of issues facing incarcerated women and their children, but also to provide social service opportunities to explore new ways of dealing with at risk families.

The session featured a poignant documentary called They're Doing My Time which presents a thorough examination of many aspects of the plight of incarcerated women and what it does to their children.

In addition, the session focused on a three-stage parenting program offered to incarcerated women by Wilmington College at the Franklin Pre-release Centre in Columbus, Ohio. Highlights of the course consist of the Inner Child and Multi-dysfunction, Childhood Development and Growth, and Effective Parenting Techniques (see ouline below). Women are encouraged to examine their past, learning to identify the negative and positive role modelling exhibited by their childhood caretakers, and the negative behaviour and relationship patterns which they learned as a result of a dysfunctional childhood environment.

COURSE OUTLINE

Stage one: Inner Child and Multi-generational Dysfunction

Examining your Inner Child and identifying negative behavior and relationship patterns which you learned as a result of a dysfunctional childhood environment.

Identifying the negative and positive role modeling of parenting skills exhibited by your childhood caretakers... focusing on excessive parental attitudes.

Understanding a practical theory of human behavior and its implications for parent-child relationships.

Stage two: Philosophies in Childhood Development and Growth

Examining Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs for every individual from birth to death.

Analyzing Erikson's Theories of Development regarding personality and crises.

Stage three: Active... and Effective Parenting Techniques

Understanding the three parenting philosophies, and providing methods of choice to your children.

Understanding your children and their goals of behavior.

Learning to identify the difference between discipline and punishment... utilizing encouragement and logical and natural consequences to modify your children's self-defeating motives and behaviors.

Improving communication between yourselves and your children... developing skills of active listening, and avoiding communication blocks.

Learning to instill courage and self-esteem in children and winning their cooperation.

Learning the principles of successful Family Talks, Problem Solving Discussions and Family Council Meetings... new procedures for establishing democratic relationships with your children.