Other Titles
Evidence-based solutions for vulnerable populations [Session]
Abstract
Session presented on Monday, November 9, 2015:
Background: A Healthy People 2020 goal is to increase the proportion of parents who use positive parenting. By promoting good parenting techniques, children of incarcerated parents may experience a better relationship with their parent, which could potentially lead to reduced rates of depression, aggression, and intergenerational incarceration. This paper describes a program evaluation performed in a Massachusetts correctional facility's parenting program.
Purpose: The goals were to review the literature about best practices in prison parenting programs and to evaluate a prison parenting program in a Massachusetts correctional facility. Methods: This three month project had two components: 1) reviewing the literature on existing parenting programs, their outcomes, and their applicability to the prison setting, and 2) completing a program evaluation of an existing parenting program in a county correctional facility. This assessment reviewed program content, delivery and evaluation. Data were collected in the form of journaling and shared though debriefing.
Results: The outcome was the creation of a "Best Practice Statement" for prison parenting programs that included a list of recommendations shared with facility staff. The following recommendations were made: to adopt an evidence-based program; to use adult learning theory strategies; to expand the curriculum to include more concrete information about parenting skills, to begin data collection of parenting program participants and create a summative evaluation.
Conclusions: Assessment of current practices and programs are essential to achieve and maintain high quality. Outcomes provided support for adopting an evidence basis for the prison parenting program, and recommendations for program improvement. Implications for Nursing Practice and/or Future Research: Through a critical review of existing literature and assessment of current programming, this project helped to confirm that nursing has the requisite skills, knowledge and attitudes to provide an evidence-based parenting program for incarcerated fathers and their children. Evaluation data is essential to document the impact of such a program on the mental health of both inmates and their families.
Sigma Membership
Beta Zeta at-Large
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
N/A
Research Approach
N/A
Keywords:
Prison, Parenting Program, Program Evaluation
Recommended Citation
Zucker, Donna M. and Beatriz, Christine, "Formulating a best practice statement for prison parenting programs: A program evaluation project" (2016). Convention. 40.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/convention/2015/presentations_2015/40
Conference Name
43rd Biennial Convention
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Conference Year
2015
Rights Holder
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Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Formulating a best practice statement for prison parenting programs: A program evaluation project
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Session presented on Monday, November 9, 2015:
Background: A Healthy People 2020 goal is to increase the proportion of parents who use positive parenting. By promoting good parenting techniques, children of incarcerated parents may experience a better relationship with their parent, which could potentially lead to reduced rates of depression, aggression, and intergenerational incarceration. This paper describes a program evaluation performed in a Massachusetts correctional facility's parenting program.
Purpose: The goals were to review the literature about best practices in prison parenting programs and to evaluate a prison parenting program in a Massachusetts correctional facility. Methods: This three month project had two components: 1) reviewing the literature on existing parenting programs, their outcomes, and their applicability to the prison setting, and 2) completing a program evaluation of an existing parenting program in a county correctional facility. This assessment reviewed program content, delivery and evaluation. Data were collected in the form of journaling and shared though debriefing.
Results: The outcome was the creation of a "Best Practice Statement" for prison parenting programs that included a list of recommendations shared with facility staff. The following recommendations were made: to adopt an evidence-based program; to use adult learning theory strategies; to expand the curriculum to include more concrete information about parenting skills, to begin data collection of parenting program participants and create a summative evaluation.
Conclusions: Assessment of current practices and programs are essential to achieve and maintain high quality. Outcomes provided support for adopting an evidence basis for the prison parenting program, and recommendations for program improvement. Implications for Nursing Practice and/or Future Research: Through a critical review of existing literature and assessment of current programming, this project helped to confirm that nursing has the requisite skills, knowledge and attitudes to provide an evidence-based parenting program for incarcerated fathers and their children. Evaluation data is essential to document the impact of such a program on the mental health of both inmates and their families.
Description
43rd Biennial Convention 2015 Theme: Serve Locally, Transform Regionally, Lead Globally.