During the autumn, the project has advanced in several ways. Our research team grew when Tiina Malin joined as a postdoctoral researcher in early September.
My background is in criminology, and I look forward to applying my previous research experience on criminal sanctions and expert decision-making within the VaVa project.
Data Collection Underway
The first Parenting in the Shadow of Prison course started last week in collaboration Life Without Crime (RETS) and KRIS-Tampere. Seven parents are participating in this intervention, which was developed within the project, and we are studying its effectiveness.
We have also launched a questionnaire for school-aged children whose lives have been affected by a parent’s imprisonment. This is carried out in cooperation with RETS. Reaching these children is challenging because they are not systematically identified in social services.
In addition, we continue collecting responses to a questionnaire from adults who care for a child whose parent is in prison.
Recruitment for professional interviews has begun. We are conducting group interviews with social welfare teams in the wellbeing services county of Pirkanmaa.
Events and Collaboration
Associate Professor Åsa Norman from Karolinska Institutet/Uppsala University will visit in November. As part of the visit, we will host a webinar on 25 November (10:15–12:15 UTC+2) where Åsa will present the Swedish approach to prison-based parenting interventions and the role of social services in supporting prisoners’ families.
If you would like to join the webinar, you can request the participation link by contacting Jenni Repo (jenni.repo(at)tuni.fi).
Overall, the project has attracted interest from many stakeholders. In November, we will present the project to family counseling center staff, and in December to prison child and family work coordinators.