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Effective: 7/23/2026

C5.8 Working with Incarcerated Parents

Legal Authority

Introduction

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Incarceration of a parent alone does not relieve the SSW of the requirement to provide services in accordance with SOP G1.2 Reasonable Efforts. Some correctional facilities offer services to inmates that may be relevant as case plan items. Additionally, the SSW should assist the family in developing a plan for the child to continue a relationship with the incarcerated parent, whether that is through visitation, phone contact, e-mail, etc.​​​
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Practice Guidance

Procedure


The SSW:

  1. Will arrange to meet with the incarcerated parent when a case is opened, transferred to a new SSW, or a parent is recently incarcerated during an open case;
  2. Will contact the correctional facility to obtain information regarding guidelines for visitation and services available to the parent within the facility at the time of the parent’s incarceration;
  3. Establishes a case plan as necessary within the timeframes outlined in SOP C5.2 Timeframes and Ongoing Service Requirements for All In-Home Services Cases. To ensure collaboration in the provision of services, the correctional facility social worker or service coordinator should be included in case planning with the incarcerated parent whenever possible;
  4. Documents the services provided to the parent;
  5. Documents the pattern of contact between the parent and child(ren), noting relevant details related to visitation activities and parent/child(ren) interaction;
  6. Visits with incarcerated parents frequently enough to: 
    1. Facilitate reasonable efforts; 
    2. Communicate effectively about case plan objectives;
    3. Identify and resolve barriers to case objectives; and 
    4. To assess whether there has been a reduction in any high-risk patterns of behavior. 
  7. Maintains quarterly contact with service providers working with the parent on case objectives and tasks;
  8. Works in conjunction with the court and correctional facility to ensure that the incarcerated parent is present for all court hearings, as applicable;
  9. If an incarcerated parent cannot attend a court proceeding, notifies the incarcerated parent within five (5) working days of the outcome of all court proceedings, and of the next court date; and 
  10. Documents parental progress towards case plan objectives as part of the ongoing assessment.

Documents

Revisions