Parenting Inside Out Program

This program will promote and expand services in detention and correctional facilities to incarcerated individuals and their minor children younger than age 18, and provide services to children of incarcerated parents by facilitating access to services that support their needs. This program will provide states and localities with funding to implement positive family engagement strategies and activities that address the needs of incarcerated parents and their minor children.

Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) will support positive parent-child interactions and assist families with transportation and lodging to ensure parent-child connections. The goal is to build opportunities during incarceration and meaningful parent-child bonds that lead to successful reentry and reduced recidivism. Strategies involve educating parents about the child welfare system and providing support for families. To further support this project, the DOC will develop and provide statewide, in-person, required training to all correctional officers in 12 prisons across Washington State to ensure consistency and uniformity, focusing on creating a family-friendly atmosphere in the visit areas while maintaining safety and security. CA/NCF