Impact of Parental Incarceration in Iceland

Abstract: Children of prisoners have increasingly been touted as the silent victims of incarceration due to the emotional and mental distress that often occurs following a parent's incarceration. Unfortunately, these children have not been met with much academic interest in Iceland. This thesis thus seeks to provide insight into how parental incarceration affects children in Iceland. Here, the characteristics of parental incarceration in Icelandic will be demonstrated, as well as how stigmatisation is managed and what changes and additions would improve the support and facilities offered to children with incarcerated parents. Nine interviews were conducted with parents whose children have experienced parental incarceration. Of these, eight interviews were conducted with imprisoned parents and an additional interview was conducted with a family member with children affected by parental incarceration. Drawing upon the theoretical framework of critical criminology, stigmatisation, and the concept of the value of children, this thesis concludes that the Icelandic government has not fulfilled its role adequately in supporting children with incarcerated parents to decrease the adverse effects of parental incarceration. The topic of parental incarceration and its impact on children seems to be increasing in academic popularity. Numerous papers suggest that incarceration policies should specifically address the effects on children. The findings of this study reaffirm those assertions