MOTHERS IN PRISON - MEETING THE PREREQUISITE CONDITIONS FOR PERMANENCY PLANNING

This article describes a study of incarcerated mothers in New York Sta te prisons who had children in foster care. Prerequisite conditions fo r permanency planning activities between mothers and caseworkers are e xamined, with a focus on the incidence of correspondence, telephone co ntact, and notification of court hearings. Although most of the mother s questioned reported having telephone contact or correspondence with caseworkers, a sizable number reported having neither, and less than h alf were familiar with the procedures that would enable them to appear for court hearings. Failure to engage in such activities jeopardizes the parental status of the incarcerated mother. Recommendations are ma de for changes in policies and practice that facilitate increased corr espondence and telephone contact as well as notification of and attend ance at court hearings.