WELCOME AND OVERVIEW

Recent estimates suggest that 3.7 million parents are under some form of correctional supervision. Approximately 1.1 million are incarcerated in Federal, State, and local jails and are parents to an estimated 2.4 million children. Children with parents in the criminal justice system are a highly vulnerable population. They have an increased risk earlier in life for difficulties with emotional, behavioral, and psychological development and later in life for other health and behavioral problems, including drug abuse and antisocial behavior. This NIDA–sponsored meeting brought together experts on drug abuse, child development, the criminal justice system, and health disparities to examine the state of the science regarding this population. Important issues, such as child development, drug abuse, health disparities, and gender were integrated throughout the meeting. The goals of the meeting were to: 1) develop an empirically–based 'picture' of these children and their families in order to understand the issues confronting them; 2) examine family and child functioning and their effect on developmental trajectories to determine potential targets for intervention; 3) review the efficacy and effectiveness of existing theory–based prevention interventions for these children and their families; 4) summarize important accomplishments in understanding this underserved population and in developing interventions to prevent drug abuse and related problems among them; and 5) identify gaps in the research and determine next steps in the development of a research agenda.

EPIDEMIOLOGY AND OVERVIEW OF THE ISSUE

FAMILY AND CHILD FUNCTIONING: POTENTIAL TARGETS FOR INTERVENTION

PREVENTION INTERVENTIONS

SUMMARY AND NEXT STEPS