Staging Website
This page is connected to a test database. Data is not necessarily up-to-date and could be wiped out at any time.
Evidence matters. Find policies, programs, and systems changes that are a good fit for your community priorities.

National Fatherhood Initiative's InsideOut Dad

Evidence Rating
Strategies with this rating have limited research documenting effects. These strategies need further research, often with stronger designs, to confirm effects.
Disparity Rating
Likely to decrease disparities
Community Conditions
Safety and social support
Authors
Lead: Bomi Kim Hirsch
Contributor(s): Lael Grigg
Acknowledgements: Alison Bergum, Komal Dasani, Jessica Rubenstein
Date Last Updated
September 27, 2017

InsideOut Dad is a program designed to connect incarcerated fathers to their families and prepare them for release. Facilitators meet weekly with a small group of inmates and guide them through 12 core education and 4 optional reentry sessions that address fathering knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors (CEBC).

What could this strategy improve?

Expected Benefits

Our evidence rating is based on the likelihood of achieving these outcomes:

  • Reduced recidivism
  • Improved family functioning

Potential Benefits

Our evidence rating is not based on these outcomes, but these benefits may also be possible:

  • Improved parenting
  • Increased self-confidence
  • Improved parent-child interaction

What does the research say about effectiveness? -+

There is insufficient evidence to determine whether InsideOut Dad decreases recidivism or strengthens families (CEBC). Available evidence suggests that program participants may improve knowledge of and attitudes toward parenting, self-confidence, and father/child contact (Block 2014). Additional evidence is needed to confirm effects. 

Implementation Examples -+

InsideOut Dad is supported by the National Fatherhood Initiative (NFI). As of 2013, more than 20 states have selected InsideOut Dad as the preferred parenting program for male correctional facilities (Block 2014).

Citations -+

* Journal subscription may be required for access.

Block 2014* - Block S, Brown CA, Barretti LM. A mixed-method assessment of a parenting program for incarcerated fathers. Journal of Correctional Education. 2014; 65(1):50-68.

CEBC - California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare (CEBC). Information and resources for child welfare professionals: List of programs.

NFI - National Fatherhood Initiative.