Understanding the Impact of Imprisonment on Families and Children

Understanding the Impact of Imprisonment on Families and Children
About this survey
Thank you for taking part in this survey.

This project is organised by the Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) and supported by TASC (Think-tank for Action on Social Change). It aims to understand how having a family member in prison affects families.

Your answers will inform a report on the challenges families face, such as financial strain, childcare, and the effects on children’s education, health, and wellbeing. The goal is to use this information to push for better services and policies for families with a loved one in prison.

All responses are confidential and your personal details will not be shared.

For more information, please contact Sara Singleton, Head of Public Education at TASC, at ssingleton@tasc.ie.

By continuing, you agree to provide anonymous feedback that will be used in the final report.

Thank you for your time and support.
SECTION 1: ABOUT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
1. I am*

MaleFemaleOther
2. My family member who is in prison is*

MaleFemaleOther
3. What is your country of origin?
4. What is your first language?*
5. What type of accommodation do you currently live in?*

Owned outright (no mortgage)Owned with a mortgageRented (private landlord)Rented (local authority or public housing)Living with family or friends (not paying rent)Temporary accommodation (e.g., shelter, hostel)Supported accommodation (e.g., group home, assisted living)Homeless or without stable accommodationOther
6. What county in Ireland do you live in?*
7. What prison is your family member in?*

Mountjoy PrisonDóchas CentreCloverhill PrisonMidlands PrisonPortlaoise PrisonWheatfield PrisonArbour Hill PrisonLimerick Men’s PrisonLimerick Women’s PrisonCork PrisonLoughan HouseShelton AbbeyMy family member is in prison overseasOther
8. Relationship to the person in prison:*

Partner (spouse or significant other)Previous PartnerChildParentOther
9. Number of children in your family:*

No children1 child2 children3 children4 or more children
10. Number of children in your household (living with you):*

No children1 child2 children3 children4 or more children
11. What are the ages of the children in your family? (Select all that apply)*

0-2 years3-5 years6-9 years10-12 years13-15 years16-18 years19 years or older
12. Do you have a child with a disability or additional needs?(If yes, please indicate the type(s) of disability or additional needs. Select all that apply)*

No, my child does not have a disability or additional needsYes, my child has a physical disabilityYes, my child has a developmental disability (e.g., autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability)Yes, my child has a sensory disability (e.g., hearing, vision)Yes, my child has a learning disability (e.g., dyslexia, ADHD)Yes, my child has a mental health condition (e.g., anxiety, depression)Yes, my child has a chronic medical condition (e.g., epilepsy, diabetes)Prefer not to sayOther
13. Length if time your family member has been in prison:*

Less than 3 months3-6 months6 months to 1 yearMore tha 1 year
SECTION 2: FINANCIAL IMPACTS
14. Has your household income gone down because of imprisonment?*

YesNo
If yes, approximately how much per month?

Less than €200€200-€500€500-€1,000More than €1,000
15. Has your ability to work been affected by the imprisonment of a family member?

Yes, I had to work fewer hoursYes, I had to work more hoursYes, I had to stop workingNo change to my work situationOther
16. Has the imprisonment of a family member affected your childcare responsibilities or arrangements?*

Yes, I had to change childcare arrangements (e.g., find alternative care, reduce care hours)Yes, I had to take on more childcare responsibilities myselfYes, I had to pay for additional childcare supportNo change to my childcare situationOther
17. How much do you spend each month to support your family member in prison?*

Less than €50€50-€100€100-€200More than €200

18. How much do you spend monthly on:*

	Amount €
Public transport for prison visits
Taxi travel for prison visits
Petrol for prison visits
Communication (phone calls, internet acess etc.)
Sending letters or personal items (postage)

19. Have you reduced spending on any of the following to support your loved one in prison?(Select all that apply)*

Food (e.g., groceries, eating out)Heating, electricity, or other utility billsHousehold essentials (e.g., cleaning products, toiletries)Personal essentials (e.g., clothing, mobile phone bills)Child-related costs (e.g., school supplies, activities, childcare)Health-related expenses (e.g., medication, medical care)Social or recreational activities (e.g., outings, hobbies)Transportation (e.g., fuel, public transit, vehicle maintenance)Savings or investmentsOther
SECTION 3: EFFECTS ON CHILDREN AND DAILY LIFE
20. Has lack of money affected your children’s ability to participate in:(Select all that apply)*

School trips (e.g., day trips, overnight trips)Sports clubs or lessons (e.g., football, swimming, local sports teams)Social events with friends (e.g., birthday parties, social gatherings)After-school programs or clubs (e.g., homework club, after-school care)School events (e.g., end-of-term celebrations, fundraisers, or special projects)Arts or creative activities (e.g., music lessons, dance classes, school play)Religious or community activities (e.g., youth groups, church events)Seasonal activities (e.g., summer camps, local festivals, Christmas events)Other

21. How has the imprisonment of a family member affected your children in the following areas?*

	Not affected	Somewhat affected	A lot affected	Prefer not to say
Emotional Health
School Participation
Friendships and Social Activities
Behaviour at Home
Physical Health

Are there any additional ways the imprisonment of a family member has affected your children?

22. How has the imprisonment of a family member affected your own well-being and daily life?*

	Not affected	Somewhat affected	A lot affected	Prefer not to say
Emotional Health
Physical Health
Social or Support Networks

Are there any additional ways the imprisonment of a family member affected you?
SECTION 4: SUPPORT AND RESOURCES
23. Do you receive any help from:(Select all that apply)*

Government benefitsCharities or organisationsFamily or friendsOther
24. What types of support would be most helpful for you and your family?(Select all that apply)*

Financial help for basic needsHelp with travel costs for prison visitsMental health support for childrenEducational support for childrenPeer support groupsOther
25. Is there anything else you would like to add about how imprisonment has affected you or your family?
26. Would you be happy to be contacted regarding a future focus group linked to this project?

YesNo
If yes, please provide your email address.
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Understanding the Impact of Imprisonment on Families and Children

About this survey

SECTION 1: ABOUT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY

SECTION 2: FINANCIAL IMPACTS

SECTION 3: EFFECTS ON CHILDREN AND DAILY LIFE

SECTION 4: SUPPORT AND RESOURCES