By Terry Hannon / Flat Out Inc. and the Victorian Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders.

When a primary carer is arrested and sent to prison their children suffer. An extensive amount of research has documented the psycho-social, academic, and developmental impact on children when their primary carer goes to prison. Despite the obvious need for policy, there is a dearth of information about existing or developing policies that address the needs of prisoners’ children, both in Australia and internationally.

The full report, Children: unintended victims of legal process. A review of policies and legislation affecting children with incarcerated parents is available at Australian Policy Online .