Breaking Down Stigma: The Transformative Power of a Parent-Child Joint Parenting Programme on Correctional Staff Attitudes Towards Incarcerated Fathers

Background and Purpose: Extensive research has examined the stigma surrounding inmates, particularly those with mental illness, and has consistently found that correctional staff often held stigmatising attitudes towards these individuals. However, limited attention was paid to the stigma experienced by general inmates with other special needs. This study aimed to explore the attitudes of correctional staff towards incarcerated fathers with parenting needs and investigate the impact of their circumstances on correctional staff. The findings of this study provided insights into how the parent-child joint parenting programme influenced the attitudes of correctional staff towards incarcerated fathers with parenting needs in a prison setting, shedding light on their changing values and other relevant factors.

Methods: This qualitative study utilised data collected through semi-structured interviews with eight facilitators of a parent-child joint parenting programme, who were correctional staff members recruited through opportunity sampling from the welfare team of the Correctional Service Department in HKSAR. These staff members had direct involvement with incarcerated fathers participating in the programme. The interviews explored their perceptions and attitudes towards the programme participants and their parenting responsibilities. Thematic analysis was utilised to identify recurring themes and patterns in the collected data.

Results: The findings highlighted a positive shift in the attitudes of the correctional staff towards the incarcerated fathers as a result of their involvement in the programme. The facilitators reported increased empathy, recognition of the challenges faced by incarcerated fathers in fulfilling their parenting roles, and shifting impression from seeing them as a prisoner to recognising their paternal identity. The programme provided an opportunity for the correctional staff to witness positive interactions between the fathers and their children, challenging their preconceived notions and stereotypes about incarcerated individuals. The staff members recognised the importance of maintaining and nurturing the parent-child bond, acknowledging its potential for rehabilitation and successful reintegration into society.

Conclusions and Implications: The insights gained from the interviews with the eight facilitators emphasised the transformative power of the parent-child joint parenting programme on correctional staff attitudes. The findings suggest that such programmes have the potential to break down stigmas and promote a more empathetic and supportive approach towards incarcerated fathers with parenting needs. These findings contribute to the literature on the impact of parenting programmes in prison settings and highlight the importance of involving correctional staff in such initiatives. The implications of this research include the need of implementing regular parent-child joint parenting programmes in prisons, and underscores the importance of training and educating correctional staff about the needs of incarcerated fathers, and the significance of maintaining family connections during incarceration.