Rendering them Visible is a literature review from Families Outside which examines research released regarding offenders' families since Dr. Nancy Louks carried out a similar review in 2004. The paper reviews academic pieces alongside items from government agencies and interest groups, with a view of identifying developments in knowledge, policy and practice.
The report is organised according to themes covering a broad range of topics relevant to the children and families of offenders, with substantial sections on women and mothers in prison, incarcerated fathers, and children. The latter covers the impact of imprisonment, specifically around arrest, with a break down of recent guidance and training for police. The topic of Children's Rights is reviewed in detail, as well as recent developments in policy and practice. Support available for families at different stages in the criminal justice system, such as prison visits, and resettlement, is considered. The piece concludes that advances in research have been made over the last twelve years, and that there are some examples of positive developments in policy and practice. But despite this the literature also reveals an ongoing lack of data on the families of offenders and a resultant lack of accountability, limited support for families from the public sector, and a continuing lack of consideration of children's rights in judiciary decisions.
Read the Families Outside review of literature on offenders' families online below:
