Responding to the Diversified Needs of Families: A Family-Focused Approach to Addressing the Impacts of Incarceration

The impacts of jail extend far beyond the incarcerated to their families. From general stress and anxiety, to lost income and support, to concerns about reunification and recidivism, countless families confront the associated burdens of incarceration each year in the U.S.—with COVID-19 adding a new layer of complexity. As many jails have a decentralized system for handling family contact—where family members may be referred to any number of individuals depending on the issue—correctional responses can vary across employees and by department, adding undue stress on family members and causing confusion and possibly secondary trauma. This workshop provides a blueprint for establishing a robust, multipronged family services program, where interactions with families are streamlined through a dedicated unit of civilian and sworn staff. Presenters explore the development of the “Middlesex Model” from the Middlesex County Sheriff's Office through three evolutionary stages: research/development, planning/preparation, and implementation/evaluation. In doing so, participants learn how to better respond to the unique and multifarious needs of families.