Connecting Imprisoned Fathers and Their Children: The Role of Visiting and Child-Focused Visiting

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.