Connecting Imprisoned Fathers and Their Children: The Role of Visiting and Child-Focused Visiting
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Monash University
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Monash University Australia
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Monash University Australia
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Monash University Australia
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Monash University Australia
Abstract
The negative implications of paternal incarceration have been well described in the research. Visiting has been shown to not only ameliorate some of these effects, but to have a range of positive impacts on both the imprisoned parent and their children. What is less understood is how fathers experience visiting and what may facilitate positive experiences. This article presents an initial, in-depth investigation of nine imprisoned fathers’ experiences of visiting and a child-focused visiting program provided by SHINE for Kids (SHINE) in Victoria, Australia. The role and emotional significance of visiting to these men is evident. Drawing from Goffman’s ideas, we explore how this visiting program provided opportunities for men to engage in their fathering role and identity in the context of a total institution. While modest in scale, these findings add to limited existing research and scholarship. Recommendations are also made for further research with imprisoned fathers and for child- and family-focused practice.
Except where otherwise noted, content in this journal is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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Author Biographies
Catherine Flynn is an Associate Professor and Head of Social Work at Monash University. Her primary research focuses on the intersection of social work and the criminal legal system, with a specific interest in the implications of parental imprisonment for children and families. She is a co-author of Doing research in social work and social care: The journey from student to practitioner researcher, 2nd ed (2025) as well as Co-production and criminal justice (2022).
Lee Huggins is a Research Assistant in the Department of Social Work at Monash University, supporting projects addressing topics such as adolescent family violence and parental incarceration. He is a qualified social worker with experience working with young people and families in hospital and mental health settings.
Rosemary SheehanAM FASSA is Professor Emerita in the Department of Social Work at Monash University. She conducted for many years Dispute Resolution Hearings in the Children's Court of Victoria, mediating disputes between parents and the child protection authority. She has written extensively in child welfare and the law and working with offenders, with current attention to the criminalisation of children and the impact of cumulative harm.
Chris Trotter is Emeritus Professor in the Department of Social Work at Monash University. Prior to his university appointment he worked for 20 years as a child protection worker, probation officer and regional manager. He has undertaken more than 40 funded research projects and has more than 120 publications, including 3 sole authored and 8 edited books. He has a strong international reputation, particularly for his work on pro-social modelling. His book Working with Involuntary Clients has been published in multiple languages and Professor Trotter has been invited to more than 20 different countries to present conference plenary sessions and workshops.
Dr Tess Bartlett’s research lies at the nexus of masculinities, identity, and fathering in the prison environment. She co-edited Prison Masculinities: International Perspectives and Interpretations. Tess has published extensive journal articles, book chapters, commentary pieces and reports and is a co-editor on the book series Emerald Advances in Masculinities with Professor Steven Roberts and Professor Rose Ricciardelli. Tess currently works as senior report writer/analyst in the Waitangi Tribunal Unit in New Zealand