Publications & Reports
Photo by Jeff Miller / UW–Madison
Selected Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles
Paternal Incarceration and Child Support: Fathers’ Formal and Informal Financial Contributions
Meyer, D., Charles, P., Landrum, G., & Kim, Y. (2026). Paternal incarceration and child support: Fathers’ formal and informal financial contributions. Social Service Review.
Alternatives to Incarceration for Adults in the Criminal Legal System: A Scoping Review Protocol
Charles, P., Buck, J., & Harty, J. (2025). Alternatives to incarceration for adults in the criminal legal system: A scoping review protocol. British Medical Journal (BMJ) Open. 15(11), 1-7.
Families’ Experiences of Housing and Housing Supports Within the Context of Parental Incarceration
Fanning, K., Kerr, M., Charles, P., & Poehlmann, J. (2025). Families’ experiences of housing and housing supports within the context of parental incarceration. Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy, 25(1), e12444.
Enhancing Remote Parent-Child Video Visits During Parental Incarceration Using IMMERSIVE, a Brief Mindful Relational Savoring Intervention.
Kerr, M., Charles, P., Pritzl, K., Jensen, S., Krishnan, C. A., Ylizaliturri, V., & Poehlmann, J. (2024). Enhancing remote parent-child video visits during parental incarceration using IMMERSIVE, a brief mindful relational savoring intervention. Mindfulness, 15, 3080-3094.
Assessment of Feasibility and Acceptability of the Pathways for Parents After Incarceration Program
Charles, P., Muentner, L., Grade, G., Eddy, J. M. (2023) Assessment of Feasibility and Acceptability of the Pathways for Parents After Incarceration Program. Family and Community Health. 46(): p S52-S65, October/December 2023.
Supported Remote Video Visits for Children with Incarcerated Parents in the United States
Charles, P., Kerr, M., Jensen, S., Kaitlyn, P., & Poehlmann, J. (2023). Supported remote video visits for children with incarcerated parents in the United States. Current Issues in Criminal Justice, 35(4), 454–474.
Parent-Child Contact during Incarceration: Predictors of Involvement among Resident and Nonresident Parents Following Release from Prison
Charles, P., Muentner, L., Gottlieb, A., & Eddy, J. M. (2023). Parent-Child Contact during Incarceration: Predictors of Involvement among Resident and Nonresident Parents Following Release from Prison. Social Service Review, 97:1, 169–213.
Family Reunification After Fathers are Released From Prison: Perspectives on Children’s Adjustment
Muentner, L. & Charles, P. (2022). Family reunification after fathers are released from prison: Perspectives on children’s adjustment. Family Relations, 1-20.
Incarcerated During a Pandemic: Implications of COVID-19 for Jailed Individuals and Their Families
Charles, P., Muentner, L., Jensen, S., Packard, C., Haimson, C., Eason, J., & Poehlmann, J. (2022) Incarcerated During a Pandemic: Implications of COVID-19 for Jailed Individuals and Their Families, Corrections, 7:5, 357-368.
Father Involvement in the First Year After Prison: Considerations for Social Work Intervention Research
Charles, P., Frankham, E., Garthe, R. C., Visher, C. A., & Kay, A. L. (2021). Father Involvement in the First Year After Prison: Considerations for Social Work. Research on Social Work Practice, 31(8), 797–813.
Lessons From the Field: Developing and Implementing an Intervention for Jailed Parents and Their Children
Charles, P., Kerr, M., Wirth, J., Jensen, S., Massoglia, M. and Poehlmann-Tynan, J. (2021), Lessons From the Field: Developing and Implementing an Intervention for Jailed Parents and Their Children. Fam Relat, 70: 171-178.
A Qualitative Exploration of Reentry Service Needs: The Case of Fathers Returning From Prison
Muentner, L., & Charles, P. (2020). A qualitative exploration of reentry service needs: The case of fathers returning from prison. Child and Family Social Work, 25(S1), 63-72. Special Issue: Parenting Across Diverse Contexts: Illuminating the Voices of Mothers, Fathers, and Children.
Book Chapters
Development and Implementation of an Attachment-Based Intervention to Enhance Visits Between Children and Their Incarcerated Parents
Kerr, M. L. et al. (2022). Development and Implementation of an Attachment-Based Intervention to Enhance Visits Between Children and Their Incarcerated Parents. In: Krysik, J., Rodriguez, N. (eds) Children of Incarcerated Parents. Children of Incarcerated Parents: From Understanding to Impact. Springer, Cham.
Incarcerated Parents and Their Children: Perspectives From the Smart Decarceration Social Work Grand Challenge
Charles, P., Epperson, M., Copeland, P., & Pettus-Davis, C. (2022). Promote Smart Decarceration. In Barth, R. P., Shanks, T. R., Messing, J. & Herbert Williams, J. (Eds.). Grand Challenges for Social Work and Society. (2nd Edition). London, Oxford.
Promote Smart Decarceration
Charles, P., Wilson, A. B., McLeod, B., Gottlieb, A., Villodas, M. (2022). Incarcerated Parents and Their Children: Perspectives from the Smart Decarceration Social Work Grand Challenge. In: Krysik, J., Rodriguez, N. (eds) Children of Incarcerated Parents. Children of Incarcerated Parents: From Understanding to Impact. Springer, Cham.
Research & Evaluation Reports
Parenting Inside Out (PIO-24): An Evaluation of a Jail-Based Parenting Program
In this research brief, we examine outcomes associated with a 24-hour, jail-based parenting program aimed at strengthening family functioning among incarcerated parents and their children. Using a pretest-posttest evaluation across three county jails in two states, we found that participation was associated with increased parent-child communication, improved parenting practices, and stronger relationships with caregivers.
A Roadmap to Research: Preventing Criminal Justice Involvement among Parents and Caregivers
In this report, we propose key elements for a research agenda aimed at generating evidence about alternatives to incarceration for parents and caregivers. The work draws on a literature synthesis and learning exchanges with diverse stakeholders. We highlight evidence gaps, promising practices like front-end deflection, the importance of outcome measures beyond recidivism, and the necessity to invest in upstream community resources that can help prevent justice system involvement in the first place.
Building Reading and Relationships with Justice-Involved Families: Findings From An Evaluation of Making Reading Memories
This brief summarizes selected findings from the evaluation drawing on data collected before and after MRM from incarcerated parents and caregivers at home.
Supporting Parents and Children During Incarceration: Evaluation of the Parenting Inside Out Program in Wisconsin.
This project examined the implementation and evaluation of Parenting Inside Out (PIO-90), an evidence-based program introduced in four Wisconsin prisons through a partnership between the Wisconsin Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board (CANPB), UW–Madison researchers, and the Wisconsin Department of Corrections (WI DOC).
The Feasibility Study: An Exploration of Wisconsin’s Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Program
This project examined Wisconsin’s implementation of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and identified opportunities to strengthen integrated workforce services for job seekers and employers. We also explored how service coordination, funding strategies, and system innovations can improve program implementation and participant experiences.
Incarceration, Child Support, and Family Relationships
In this report, we examine how incarceration among non-custodial fathers may shape their involvement with their non-resident children—both relationally and financially—and how these associations may differ for White and Black fathers. We also assess the differential impacts of incarceration’s timing and length on our outcomes of interest.
Supporting Incarcerated Parents and Children: An Implementation Toolkit for Parenting Inside Out in Prisons
This implementation toolkit draws on lessons learned from introducing the evidence-based Parenting Inside Out (PIO) program in four Wisconsin prisons. It provides practical guidance and best practices to help correctional agencies and other stakeholders successfully implement and sustain parenting programs for incarcerated parents.