Challenges of caregivers and needs of children with parents in a Nigerian prison

Abstract

Background: Separation of a parent from the family as a result of incarceration has both short-term and long-term effects on the family, even after release from  prison. This study is a report of factors and challenges of the family left to adapt to the changed circumstances of separation from parent(s) who are  incarcerated.

Methods: This was a cross sectional study carried out on 89 care -givers of children whose parents are incarcerated at the Agodi  prison, Ibadan who gave informed and written consent to interview their families.

Results: Most caregivers had little or no formal education (69.7%)  and 67.4% are into petty trading or subsistence farming. A majority of the caregivers reported the need of schooling (85.4%), provision of food  (84.3%) and medical care (71.9%) as major challenges, only 25% received any form of support to meet these needs. Twenty-nine (32.6%)  respondents reported receiving financial support to provide for the child’s feeding. Some care-givers 21 (23.6%), obtained loans to cope with the  financial needs of the children hile only 3 (3.4%) received support  from family or other nongovernmental organisations.

Conclusion: The caregivers  of children of prison inmates face significant challenges in meeting the needs of feeding, health and schooling. Support structures and policies to  address these gaps are required.