NCJ Number
214047
Journal
Prevention Researcher Volume: 13 Issue: 2 Dated: April 2006 Pages: 15-17
Date Published
April 2006
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article discusses two programs for youth who have one or both parents incarcerated: the Children of Promise--Mentors of Hope, and The Children of Incarcerated Parents: A Bill of Rights.
Abstract
Children of Promise--Mentors of Hope collaborates with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, faith-based associations, prison ministries, civic organizations, corporations, and educational institutions to identify children and recruit potential mentors. A caring adult is matched with a child of an inmate. The expectation is that a carefully selected adult with personal qualities and training that can build trust and provide nurturing will produce stability and positive development. Other suggestions are offered for how individuals can help support and guide children with incarcerated parents. They include forming support groups for these children and educating family members and others who work with youth about the children's special needs and how to meet them. The Children of Incarcerated Parents: a Bill of Rights was derived from the experience of Gretchen Newby, executive director of Friends Outside. In the course of her work with inmates and their families, she created the "Bill of Rights" from interviews conducted by journalist Nell Bernstein with over 30 youth with incarcerated parents. The eight rights of children of incarcerated parents are to be kept safe and informed at the time of the parent's arrest; to be heard when decisions are made that affect the children; to be heard when decisions are made that affect the parent; to be well cared for in the parent's absence; to speak with, see, and touch the parent; to receive support in dealing with the parent's incarceration; not to be judged, blamed, or labeled because of the parent's incarceration; and to a lifelong relationship with the parent. 6 references