Children of Incarcerated Parents

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I. Introduction In his State of the Union addresses for 2003 and 2004, President George W. Bush asked the nation to reach out and help the more than 1.5 million American children with a parent in prison. The Corporation for National and Community Service, through its work with faith-based and small community organizations, is responding to the President’s challenge. Several programs of the Corporation— AmeriCorps, AmeriCorps*VISTA, and Senior Corps—are developing new opportunities for volunteers to mentor children of incarcerated parents. Senior Corps encourages RSVP and Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) grantees to form partnerships with organizations that serve this vulnerable population. Mentoring has seen tremendous growth in the past two decades. While all youth can benefit from mentors, most mentoring is designed with at-risk children in mind. Seniors comprise a vital group of the caring adults who serve as mentors for these children. What Happens to the Children of Incarcerated Parents? Over 1.5 million children have at least one parent in prison 1 . For many of these young people, the emotional trauma of having a parent in Children of incarcerated parents are six times more likely than other youth to land in prison at some point in their own lives. prison results in a host of difficulties. Many children of incarcerated parents have trouble forming healthy relationships and may engage in a variety of selfdestructive behaviors. Children of incarcerated parents are six times more likely than other youth to land in prison at some point in their own lives. One study estimates that 70% of the children of current prisoners will some day be incarcerated 2 . Clearly the impacts of parental incarceration on children’s lives cry out for strong intervention that can help children realize their promise. How Can Senior Corps Mentors Help Children of Incarcerated Parents? Mentoring can foster a variety of positive outcomes for youth. While mentors cannot solve all the problems of children of incarcerated parents, they can help immensely by providing: 1 Incarcerated Parents and Their Children, Bureau of Justice Statistics. http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/pub/pdf/iptc.pdf 2 Senate Report 106-404: Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriation Bill, 2001, US Senate. September 8, 2000, p. 56. LEARNS 1
• A consistent adult presence. What children of incarcerated parents need, above all, is stable, reliable care from adults. A mentor has the ability to provide continuity when other circumstances in a child’s life may be in flux. • Advocacy for youth in court settings or with social services. Mentors can serve as impartial voices for young people, helping to represent their best interests in proceedings involving placements or the court system. • Support for the relationship with the incarcerated parent, and assistance with re-entry. When it is determined to be an appropriate goal, mentors may engage children in activities that help nurture the parental relationship (writing letters, making cards, assisting with visits, etc.). In some programs, mentors may also assist the parent when s/he re-enters the community, helping forge connections with an array of positive supports. • Exposure to community support systems. Mentoring is one support among many that children of incarcerated parents need. Involvement with other organizations can help surround that child with a web of care, concern, and positive experiences. • An adult friend. The caring adults who interact most with children of incarcerated parents (social workers, case managers, foster parents, etc.) are often paid professionals. A mentor is there for the youth alone, extending friendship that builds trust and self-esteem. In essence, a mentor can serve as an island in the storm. While this requires real commitment from both the mentor and the program, the support that lies at the heart of mentoring can greatly benefit children of incarcerated parents. LEARNS 2
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Turning the Improbable Into the Exc
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6. 1 We disseminate Quarterly publi
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overwhelming amount of stress and c
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incarcerated parents to foster the
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causality, researchers have found a
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pregnancies leading to greater divo
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there has been a 13% decline in int
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to 90% of all US families. Accordin
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conciseness what 'everyone knew': t
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had contributed to apparent lower a
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ule of anthropology: That in all kn
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consequence of the social bias wome
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Sexual Violence A form of sexual vi
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Measures of Poverty An important as
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and have adequate shelter can make
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statistically determine the impover
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Policies Decision-Making Power Deci
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to parent teacher conferences. A re
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Also notable regarding the rise in
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Interestingly, the United States is
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women entered the workforce, divorc
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of 1996, instituted work requiremen
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prevalence of chronic illness, lead
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addition, many European countries o
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Amachi is an organization that part
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IMPACT Family Counseling, Inc. ALAS
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Amachi/Big Brothers Big Sisters of
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SOUTH CAROLINA Clemson University T
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Roots. “Children of incarcerated
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demonstrate that there is a vision
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well as Harvard's Department of Soc
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In his book Still the Promised City
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When Work Disappears When Work Disa
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Notes _____________________________
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AMACHI: MENTORING CHILDREN OF PRISO
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Public/Private Ventures is a nation
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AMACHI
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AMACHI
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ii AMACHI
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In fact, according to a U.S. Senate
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A growing number of additional citi
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Page 146 and 147: Table of Contents I. Introduction.
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The e-Advocate Juvenile Justice Rep
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2018 - The Theological Law Firm Aca
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www.TheAdvocacyFoundation.org Page
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