(1) The secretary of corrections shall review current department policies and assess the following: (a) The impact of existing policies on the ability of offenders to maintain familial contact and engagement between inmates and children; and (b) The adequacy and availability of programs targeted at inmates with children. (2) The secretary shall adopt policies that encourage familial contact and engagement between inmates and their children with the goal of reducing recidivism and intergenerational incarceration. Programs and policies should take into consideration the children's need to maintain contact with his or her parent and the inmate's ability to develop plans to financially support their children, assist in reunification when appropriate, and encourage the improvement of parenting skills where needed. (3) The department shall conduct the following activities to assist in implementing the requirements of subsection (1) of this section: (a) Gather information and data on the families of inmates, particularly the children of incarcerated parents; (b) Evaluate data to determine the impact on recidivism and intergenerational incarceration; and (c) Participate in the children of incarcerated parents advisory committee and report information obtained under this section to the advisory committee. [ 2007 c 384 s 2.]
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