Parenting Children with Incarcerated Parents
The disruption of family relationships when parents are incarcerated can have a serious impact on children and youth, with consequences sometimes including temporary or permanent removal from the home. Although the number of children and youth placed in foster care as a result of their parent’s incarceration is not clearly identified through current data collection systems, estimates suggest that tens of thousands of young people in foster care may have incarcerated parents.
Below are resources and information links about working with children in or at risk of entering out-of-home care whose parents are incarcerated
More Information and Resources:
Visitation: Through the Eyes of a Child
A special emphasis on two situations of separation and loss requiring specific attention: sibling separation and children with incarcerated mothers.
Children with Incarcerated Parents: Bill of Rights
I have the right NOT TO BE JUDGED, BLAMED OR LABELED because my parent is incarcerated. I have the right TO A LIFELONG RELATIONSHIP WITH MY PARENT
10 Eye-Opening Facts About Criminal Justice
There are currently over 2 million people incarcerated in the U.S., and an additional 5 million under correctional supervision (on probation or parole).
Engaging Incarcerated Parents
Every incarcerated parent is more than the crime they have been charged with or convicted of, and, as Mommy or Daddy, they may be one of the most important people-if not the most important person-in the child’s life.
Pen Pals; Parenting from Prison
After my father was arrested, my aunt and grandparents thought not seeing him until I was 18 the best for me, and the courts agreed. Since then, I’ve had to wake up each day with the hurt of knowing I will not see my father
Out of Prison and Into My Life
I love my dad. He means so much to me and I wouldn’t trade him for the world, not even for multi-billionaire Bill Gates. Am I still mad at him for being in jail instead of with me all those years?
Youth.gov
Children of incarcerated parents may also face a number of other challenging circumstances. They may have experienced trauma related to their parent’s arrest or experiences leading up to it.
Sesame Street Toolkit: Coping With Incarceration
Provides parents and caregivers with bilingual (English & Spanish) tools to help children ages 3-8 cope with the many transitions related to a parent’s incarceration.
Coordinating Council on Children with Incarcerated Parents (CCCwIP)
Visiting a parent in the county jail can help alleviate any fears a child may have about their parent’s welfare and can be calming and beneficial to most children’s emotional and psychological well-being.
The Osborne Association's Resources on Children of Incarcerated Parents
The Osborne Association works in partnership with individuals, families, and communities to create opportunities for people affected by the criminal justice system to further develop their strengths and lead lives of responsibility and contribution.
Children of Prisoners Library: Why Maintain Relationships
For children placed in foster care because of parental incarceration, visits are important to avoid permanent placement. These visits assure children that their parents have not voluntarily abandoned them to strangers.
Caring for Children of Prisoners
aving a parent in prison or jail poses different challenges for the child at each stage of development. As children strive to understand rules and consequences and to have empathy for others, adults in their world must be honest and genuine.
The Importance of Working with Children of Incarcerated Parents
Without support and services, children of incarcerated parents are themselves at risk of juvenile and adult criminal justice involvement.