Abstract
This study sought to determine if a relationship existed between the frequency and quality of contact between male inmates and their children, and any negative impact on the behavioral functioning of those children. It was assumed within the research that this contact was both desired and appropriate. A secondary data set from the National Archive of Criminal Justice Data that included both quantitative and qualitative data sets, collected from inmates and their families in two New Jersey state prisons over the course of one year, was analyzed in an attempt to determine if such a relationship was present. The research hypothesis was that if such a relationship was found, the higher the quality and quantity of contact, the lower the incidents of negative behavioral functioning by the children of these inmates. Quality in this sense ranged from face-to-face visits as the highest, and mail contact such as letters and cards, as the lowest quality of contact. The study findings indicated that there was a correlation between the quality of contact between inmates and their children and negative behavioral issues exhibited by those children. As the sample size of the study was small (n=35), no statistical analysis was possible, but the crosstabulation completed between some contact and behavioral variables evinced that there was a connotation between lower incidents of child behavioral issues and more frequent contact with their incarcerated parent. While not all of the contact variables had direct impact on the three different reported child behavior variables, the significance that the analysis did find was promising. More longitudinal research studies with greater sample sizes and the use of a control group, is required to fully establish this correlation in order to institute and advocate for, the policies and interventions which will allow children of incarcerated parents greater access to their parent in prison and support family maintenance during parental incarceration.