The Cost of the Government's Failure to Protect Children Witnessing Parental Arrest and Detainment

Abstract

The purpose of this Article is to explore the failure of law enforcement to safeguard children of detained and arrested parents. It draws upon interviews with children of incarcerated parents who witnessed the arrest and/or detainment of their loved one, as well as interviews with the arrested and/or detained parents. It also provides critical analysis of the laws that have been created to protect and serve these young citizens following the arrest or detainment of their parents or guardians. The strength of the Article rests in its interdisciplinary approach and ability to address failures of the law and those who enforce it.

Keywords: detainment, criminal, enforcement, parental, parent, children, witness, arrest, guardian, citizenship

JEL Classification: criminal law, public policy