Parent+in+Prison+Family

** Parent in Prison Families **  **Statistics: ** There are nearly 2 million children in the United States who have one or more parents in prison. That’s close to two in every 100 children! == Numbers of Incarcerated Parents  == A great many of the people serving prison or local jail time in the United States are parents. In 1999, there were 1,284,894 prisoners in the custody of state and federal prisons. Of these, approximately 56% (or 721,500) were the parents to minor children. If this rate of parenthood holds true for the inmates in local jails, then it is safe to say that there were more than a million parents in jail in 1999. Their children accounted for between 2% and 3% of the children in the country.

Fathers are most likely to be the imprisoned parent -- representing 93 percent of all imprisoned parents -- with the children generally living with their mothers. In addition, the study showed that half of the parents in prison are African American, one quarter are white, and one-fifth are Hispanic. While the U.S. crime rate continues to steadily decline, the number of inmates has grown, as has the length of sentences for certain types of offenses, including drug crimes.

**Tips for educators: ** Because of the high number of children in the US with parents in prison, special concern arises. Research indicates these children are traumatized by separation from their parents, confused by the parent's actions, and stigmatized by the shame of their parent's situation. Deprived of income and guidance, these children are vulnerable to poverty, to stressful shifts in caregivers, separation from siblings, and other family disruptions. Because of all of this, the children of incarcerated parents should be of special concern to us. As the children’s teachers we should be more focused than ever on ensuring all children have a safe environment to learn in; one that maintains and promotes their well-being. Yet when a child has a parent in prison, achieving this goal can be especially difficult. It is crucial that teachers be willing to discuss the very hard subject of parent in prison with children. Many teachers shy away from this discussion, mostly saying "I don't know what to say.... I'm afraid I'll say the wrong thing." As a teacher educator, you can open dialogue with teachers about rising to meet these children's needs. · TALK WITH THE CHILD o Let them know you are interested in their life. · KEEP IT PRIVATE <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">No one but you and the child need to be involved in the conversation. <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; msolist: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol;">· <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">SHOW YOU'RE ON THE CHILD'S SIDE <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Show sympathy to the child. <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; msolist: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol;">· <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">ALIGN YOURSELF WITH THE CHILD <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Actually tell them that you are on their side. Make yourself available for conversation. <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; msolist: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol;">· <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">LOOK FOR A WAY TO HELP THE CHILD EXPRESS FEELINGS <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Do not be afraid to ask the child what the hardest thing is about having a _ in prison.
 * <span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">Working with Children with Parents in Prison **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Child Reactions ** = Child Reactions to Parental Incarceration   = <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; msolist: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; msobidifontsize: 11.0pt;">· Identification with incarcerated parent, awareness of social stigma <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; msolist: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; msobidifontsize: 11.0pt;">· Change in future orientation and intrusive thoughts about their parents <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; msolist: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; msobidifontsize: 11.0pt;">· Concerned about outcomes of case, unsure and worried about how to live without mother, concern about an uncertain future <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; msolist: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; msobidifontsize: 11.0pt;">· Flashbacks to traumatic events related to arrests <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; msolist: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; msobidifontsize: 11.0pt;">· Embarrassment <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; msolist: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; msobidifontsize: 11.0pt;">· Fear, anxiety <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; msolist: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; msobidifontsize: 11.0pt;">· Anger and hyperarousal <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; msolist: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; msobidifontsize: 11.0pt;">· Sadness <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; msolist: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; msobidifontsize: 11.0pt;">· Guilt <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; msolist: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; msobidifontsize: 11.0pt;">· Low self-esteem <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; msolist: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; msobidifontsize: 11.0pt;">· Loneliness, feelings of abandonment, emotional withdrawal from friends and family <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; msolist: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; msobidifontsize: 11.0pt;">· Depression <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; msolist: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; msobidifontsize: 11.0pt;">· Sleeplessness <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; msolist: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; msobidifontsize: 11.0pt;">· Eating and sleeping disorders <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; msolist: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; msobidifontsize: 11.0pt;">· Attention disorders and developmental regression <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; msolist: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; msobidifontsize: 11.0pt;">· Diminished academic performance, classroom behavior difficulties and truancy <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; msolist: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; msobidifontsize: 11.0pt;">· Aggression, acting out, antisocial behaviors, and trauma-reactive behavior leading to early crime involvement ** Source: ** Wright, L. E. & Seymour, C. B. (2000). //Working with children and families separated by incarceration: A handbook for child welfare agencies//. Washington, DC: CWLA Press.

**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Books ** <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; text-align: center;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Loving Through Bars: Children with Parents in Prison <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> Mama Loves Me from Away By: Pat Brisson All Alone in the World: Children of the Incarcerated By: Nell Bernstein Prisoners once removed: The Impact of Incarceration and Reentry on Families, Children and Communities by Jeremy Travis My Daddy is in Jail By: Janet N. Bender Mothering from the Inside: Parenting in a Women's Prison What is Jail, Mommy? By: Jackie Stanglin **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">What you can do to help: ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> __Prison Fellowship: The Children of Prisoners Need Your Help!__ <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">This website is dedicated to helping children see their parent/s in prison. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Link: [] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> __<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Our Place __ <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">This site helps incarcerated women return to their families and communities! <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Link: []
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">These books are available for children with parents in prison and also for the actual parents that are in prison. **

**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Resources: ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">[] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">[] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">[] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">[] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">[] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">[|http://www.amazon.com] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">[] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">