Exploring the impact of paternal imprisonment on infant mental health.

This paper draws from a study, which explored paternal absence through imprisonment and the impact of this on infant emotional wellbeing and mental health. Little evidence exists to demonstrate the impact of a father’s imprisonment on infant involvement, attachment relationships and the consequences of such separation for both infant and father. A scoping study, synthesising literature gathered from a range of academic sources, allowed for exploration of key concepts and clarification of pertinent themes in this relatively under-studied area. Findings suggest that maintaining father involvement whilst in prison is vital in promoting and maintaining positive infant mental health and that the health visitor is well placed to play a pivotal role in supporting the families of those within the criminal justice system.