Research

The United States has the highest incarceration rate globally, with about 700 people per 100,000 incarcerated yearly. Thousands of people are arrested and detained annually, leaving behind their children and family. These families affected by incarceration are called "Hidden Victims."

Research suggests that the parent-child bond's strengths and weaknesses and the quality of the child's support at home play a very significant role in how well the child will overcome the challenges ahead of them and succeed in life. The children are most significantly affected and are often "lost in the system.” These children are at a higher risk for mental health problems, psychological strain, antisocial behavior, suspension or expulsion from school, economic hardship, and even criminal activity.

 Child Risk Factors

Each child’s situation is unique to them. Still, research has compiled a list of risk factors that every child with an incarcerated parent is more susceptible to than a child that doesn’t have an incarcerated parent. These risk factors can affect a child’s mental health, financial stability, and physical well-being. African Americans and Hispanic children are more at risk than white children to have incarcerated parents. African Americans are 7.5 times as likely, and Hispanics are 2.3 times as likely.

Criminal Involvement

Statistics show that children with incarcerated parents are about six times more likely to become imprisoned in their lifetime. Children with an incarcerated father are less likely to be incarcerated than those with a mother in prison. This correlation is primarily because the mother is, in most families, the child's central support system. These risk factors present themselves differently in each child and are hard to see and be made sense of.

Psychological issues and Anti-social behavior

Most behavioral changes after a parent have been put behind bars are anti-social behavior. Anti-social acts cover any act that goes against social norms. This includes criminal behavior and continuous dishonesty. Studies have shown that most children will face this more than other factors. Children having exposure to multiple adverse experiences throughout their childhood and development may put them more at risk for severe depression and other issues that can follow them through life into adulthood. This includes substance abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, and suicide attempts.

Financial Stability

         Most children with incarcerated parents have low economic resources available to support them during this difficult time. Studies show that the family's income was 22 percent lower when the parent was incarcerated and 15 percent lower after the parent's re-entry into the family life. Families will face financial strain due to having only one set of income. The most considerable financial struggle these children face is unstable and inconsistent housing.

Statistics

-About 1.7 to 2.7 million children have experienced a parent becoming incarcerated

- Approximately 2.3 million people are incarcerated in the United States

-    The Family’s income was 22 % lower when the parent was incarcerated and 15 % lower after the parent's re-entry into the family life.