NCJ Number
204979
Date Published
February 2004
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This document discusses a mentoring program for children that have at least one parent that is incarcerated.
Abstract
An estimated 2 million children have at least 1 parent that is incarcerated. This number has increased by more than 50 percent since 1991. To address the needs of this vulnerable group of young people, the Amachi initiative was developed. The program partners faith-based organizations with public agencies and nonprofit service providers to identify the children of prisoners and match them with caring adult volunteers. The children of inmates are often shuffled from one caregiving arrangement to another. They may be separated from siblings, and many are involved with the foster care system. Children of inmates are at higher risk for a number of emotional and behavioral problems, including depression and anxiety, poor academic performance, drug and alcohol abuse, and juvenile delinquency. Children of inmates are six times more likely than other children to be incarcerated at some point during their lives. One of Amachi’s early successes has been the recruitment of large numbers of qualified, motivated mentors, especially mentors from the African-American community. An analysis of Amachi’s first 556 matches found that mentors and mentees spent their time together in ways consistent with effective mentoring programs; fun activities were emphasized. They also attended sports events, movies, concerts and theater; they went to church services, ate meals together, and worked on homework. Mentors had committed to spend at least 1 hour a week with their mentees. Through November 2003, the program had matched a total of 726 children with mentors. The majority of matches that end before 1 year are cut short because of changes or disruptions in the child’s life. The length of the matches is a good indication that the Amachi program has recruited solid, committed volunteers, and that the program structure works to support lasting, effective mentoring relationships. 5 endnotes, 1 table