Professional Interests 

• Social work, families and the criminal justice system
• Higher education administration and leadership
• Social policies, social programs and social justice 

Current Research

• Impact of incarceration and reentry on families and children
• Child welfare policies and children of color 

Selected Recent Publications

Hairston, C. (2008). “Children with parents in prison: Child welfare matters.” CW360°: A Comprehensive Look at a Prevalent Child Welfare Issue, 4, 32.

Hairston, C. (2007). Focus on Children with Incarcerated Parents: An Overview of the Research Literature. Baltimore, MD: Annie E. Casey Foundation.

Hairston, C. (2007).  Guest editorial:  The National Network for Social Work Managers advancing management excellence through education.   Administration in Social Work, 31 (4).

Hairston, C. & Oliver, W. (2006).   Domestic Violence and Prisoner Reentry: Experiences of African American Men and Women.   New York : Vera Institute of Justice.

Hairston, C. & Rollin, J. (2006).  Prisoner reentry: Social capital and family connections.  In R. Immarigeon (Ed.), Women and Girls in the Criminal Justice System: Policy Issues and Practice Strategies .  Kingston : Civic Research Institute, Inc.

Women's experiences with men's incarceration and reentry. Women, Girls, & Criminal Justice, 7, 65-79 (2006). (Co-author W. Oliver).

Prisoner Reentry and Intimate Partner Violence in the African American Community: The Case for Culturally Competent Interventions. Journal of the Institute of Justice & International Studies, 4 (2004). Warrensburg, MO: Institute of Justice and International Studies, Central Missouri State University. (W. Oliver, O.J. Williams & L. Crowder, co-authors).

Families, prisoners, and community reentry: A look at issues and programs. (2003). Vivian L. Gadsen (Ed.). Heading Home: Offender Reintergation into the Family. Landham, Md,: American Correctional Association.

Social capital and family connections. Women, Girls & Criminal Justice  (Co-author: J.C. Rollin). 4(5), 67-68, 76 (2003).

Parents in prison: New directions for social services. (2003). O. Harris & R.R. Miller (Eds.) Impacts of Incarceration on the African-American Family. New York: Transaction Publishers.

Prisoners and their families: Parenting issues during incarceration. (2003). J.Travis & M. Waul (Eds.)

Prisoners Once Removed:The Impact of Incarceration and Reentry on Children, Families, and Communities. Washington D.C: The Urban Institute Press.

Fathers in Prison: Responsible Fatherhood and Responsible Public Policies. Michigan Family Impact Seminars Briefing Report No. 2002-1, 21-26 (2002).

The Importance of Families in Prisoners' Community Reentry. ICCA Journal on Community Corrections 11-12(14) (2002).

Prisoners and families: Parenting issues during incarceration. From Prison to Home: The Effect of Incarceration and reentry on Children, Families and Communities (2002).  Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Fathers in prison: Responsible fatherhood and responsible public policy. Marriage and Family Review 32(3/4), 111-135 (2001).

The importance of families in prisoners' community reentry. Family and Corrections Network Report 30 (1), 11-12 (2001).

Prisoners and their families and friends. Proceedings of the International Conference on Human Rights and Prison Reform (pp. 29-31).(2001) Washington, DC: National CURE.

Serving Incarcerated and Ex-offender Fathers and their Families: A Review of the Field. (2001). New York: Vera Institute of Justice. (Co-authors: John M. Jeffries and Suzanne Menghraj).

Children with Parents in Prison: Child Welfare Policy, Program, and Practice issues. (2001). Piscataway, NJ: Transaction Publishers. (Co-editor: Cynthia B. Seymour).

Justice matters are family matters: Social work and the criminal justice system. (1999, August). NASW New York State Chapter Update 24, 2.

Kinship Care: Improving Practice Through Research . (1999). Washington, DC: Child Welfare League of America. (Co-editor: James P. Gleeson).

Kinship care when parents are incarcerated: Establishing a research agenda. (1999). In J. P. Gleeson & C. F. Hairston (Eds.)

Kinship Care: Improving Practice Through Research (pp. 189-211). Washington, DC: Child Welfare League of America.

Future directions for research on kinship care. (1999). In J. P. Gleeson & C. F. Hairston (Eds.)

Kinship Care: Improving Practice Through Research (pp. 281-313). Washington, DC: Child Welfare League of America. 

Current Affiliations & Associations 

Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, Editor
African American Family Research Institute Board of Directors
Chicago Board of Health
Advances in Social Work Journal Editorial Advisory Board
John Howard Association Board of Directors
Academy of Certified Social Work Managers, Founding Chair
National Network of Social Work Managers Board of Directors
Illinois Deans and Directors of Social Work Programs
National Association of Deans and Directors of Social Work Programs
Administration in Social Work Journal Editorial Board
Citizens Alert Board of Directors
Illinois Academy of Criminology Board of Directors