Cianna Holthaus

Annually 69,000 individuals filter through Minnesota’s county jails (Prison Policy Initiative, 2019). On any given day, approximately 10,000 minor children have a parent currently incarcerated in a Minnesota county jail (Shlafer & Saunders, 2017). Incarceration disrupts a caregiver’s ability to be responsive to their child’s needs, therefore limiting the formation of meaningful emotional bonds. Inconsistent parent-child communication is more frequently associated with poor psychosocial outcomes (Parke & Clarke-Stewart, 2002; Kerns & Brumariu, 2013). Responsive relationships can be maintained through consistent communication. Clear communication and visitation guidelines can ensure a smooth transition after the caregiver’s initial arrest. The aim of this study is to examine the quality of Minnesota county jail websites as a function of family connectedness. This study utilizes a qualitative research design by collecting data from 83 county jail websites. The websites are coded through a REDCap survey containing five subsections: visitation, other forms of communication, transportation, website navigation, and contact information. Among the jail websites, little information was given for communication and visitation policies, specifically related to children and families. The findings from this study have implications for healthy parent-child relationships. Healthy relationships between caregivers and their children are important for long-term stress regulation, adaptability, and resilience (Rees, 2007). Websites with minimal information related to visitation and communication guidelines can simplify their policies for families which will strengthen parent-child connectedness.