A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Parent Management Training Program for Incarcerated Parents: Post-Release Outcomes

Area of Science:

• Criminology and Public Health
• Developmental Psychology
• Correctional Program Evaluation

Background:

• Most incarcerated adults are parents who maintain family contact during imprisonment.
• Positive family connections during incarceration are hypothesized to improve post-release success.
• Prison-based parenting programs aim to facilitate these crucial family connections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the outcomes of the Parenting Inside Out (PIO) program, a cognitive-behavioral parent management training.
• To assess the impact of PIO on incarcerated parents and their families.
• To determine the program's effect on public health and safety post-release.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 359 incarcerated parents in Oregon.
• Participants were randomized to either the PIO intervention or a control group (services-as-usual).
• Follow-up occurred through the remainder of sentences and up to one year post-release.

Main Results:

• PIO intervention participants showed a decreased likelihood of substance use problems post-release.
• Participants in the PIO group were less likely to engage in criminal behavior within six months of release.
• A reduced likelihood of arrest was observed for PIO participants during the first year post-release.

Conclusions:

• The Parenting Inside Out program demonstrates significant positive outcomes for incarcerated parents and public safety.
• Findings highlight the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral parenting programs during the reentry period.
• There is a critical need for rigorous research on multi-component reentry parenting interventions.