Exploring the potential role of financial interventions to improve the health of families impacted by incarceration.

Abstract

Purpose of review: To summarize the impact of financial hardship on children whose parents have been incarcerated, describe both existing cash transfer and guaranteed income programs, and highlight their impact on child and family well being.

Recent findings: Emerging data on guaranteed income programs for formerly incarcerated adults indicates that the funds improve recipient health and legal system outcomes and allow participants to spend funds on stabilizing themselves and their families. Guaranteed income programs in the broader population similarly highlight the use of funds to support families' basic needs and improved parent-child relationships, but more data are needed to understand the impact on child health and well being among families impacted by the criminal legal system.

Summary: Over 5 million children experience parental incarceration, which directly contributes to financial hardship and subsequent negative health outcomes. Cash transfers may assist these families, but policies and administrative burdens limit the ability of existing programs to fully address financial hardship. Guaranteed income programs may therefore serve a unique role in supporting the financial needs of families impacted by incarceration. More longitudinal data focusing on child health outcomes are necessary to fully understand the impact of guaranteed income of children and families impacted by parental incarceration.