How Can Missouri Protect the Best Interests of the Child When a Parent is Incarcerated?

Abstract

This brief builds upon information presented to and gathered by the Missouri Children's Services Commission to assess the impact of parental incarceration on both their children and society as a whole. The first section identifies the needs of children who have an incarcerated mother or father. The next section describes current Missouri initiatives to protect the best interests of these children. The final section suggests what more should be done to protect the children.