A parent serving a prison sentence and a family in crisis

The article focuses on the specific situation of a family in which one of the parents is in prison and
analyzes this situation as an area of conflict between the law, social work, and penological reality. The
imprisonment of a parent is not an isolated event affecting only the convicted person, but fundamentally interferes with the functioning of the family system, parental roles, and the social functioning of children. In this context, families often find themselves in conflict – whether it be a conflict of rights and obligations, an emotional and relational conflict, or a conflict between protecting the interests of the child and the restrictions imposed by the prison regime. The article highlights the tension between the legal framework for the enforcement of sentences, which is determined by security and resocialization objectives, and the need to maintain parental ties as an important factor in social stability and the prevention of social exclusion. Special attention is paid to the position of the child, the right to contact with the parent, and the role of social work in supporting the family in conditions of institutional restriction.
Keywords: forensic social work; prison environment; interdisciplinary cooperation