Posted on   6/29/2012  12:15 PM

After years of being virtually ignored, children with incarcerated parents are finally getting the services and attention they need to avoid becoming the next criminal statistics. In addition to our Network’s prison bonding trips and care coordination services in South Florida, other groups are doing great work in other states.

In Michigan, for example, a program has developed that offers mentoring, so these children can establish relationships with caring adults. A second mentoring program, called “Kids Helping Kids,” pairs trained high school, college and “graduates” of their program with children of prisoners.

A character development portion of the program helps these children develop a “moral compass” to guide them in their choices of behaviors and attitudes, and an educational and social enrichment program teaches students whose lives are disrupted by parents’ incarceration essential verbal and writing skills, problem-solving, creative arts, and techniques for good family living. Handwriting and creative writing is emphasized in all sessions to stimulate an interest in children to write to their inmate parent(s). This is done to create a positive bond between these children and their parents.

Career development also is provided to help these children of prisoners understand that they can make choices toward their future and career goals by furthering their education. Training (i.e., filling out job applications, work ethics, etc.) is provided and practiced for the purpose of encouraging students to pursue future opportunities to earn money in their communities while they are going to school.

These programs are a step in the right direction and should serve as models for the country so that these children, who are themselves victims of their parents’ crimes, have the greatest opportunities to break the cycle.