ABSTRACT
Fathers comprise over one-half of the male prison population in the United States. With many incarcerated fathers reporting a deterioration in closeness with their children while in jail, the separation of fathers from children, as a result of imprisonment, is a major issue for some African American families. The multitude of family structures and issues that men encounter when released from prison is therefore another critical issue in the study of incarcerated fathers. Perhaps the best predictor of child visits is the relationship between the father and the child's mother. The initial subject of which the inmates spoke was their identity as fathers. The Trust Building interviews asked the fathers to talk about their children. Ed, a 29-year-old father of two, also spoke deeply about conflict with his wife since his incarceration. Inmates commented about the need to act as a provider to multiple families, both before incarceration and after release.
