Children of the Incarcerated

Рет қаралды 33,798

9 жыл бұрын

There is no single story that describes what it is like for a child to have a parent who is incarcerated. The experience depends on diverse factors, including the quality of the parent-child relationship prior to incarceration, the degree of household stability following the incarceration, and the child’s age, individual personality and others.
That being said some International human rights advocates have called parental incarceration "the greatest threat to child well-being in the US. As of today, 1 in 28 children in the United States have a parent behind bars. For African American children, that number is 1 in 9. The average term being served by incarcerated parents is 80 months.
Each year the number of children with incarcerated parents continue to grow as a result of the record prison population in the United States. On this edition of Inside Out we talk to Shaquille Mualimm-ak, from incarceratednationcampaign.org about his experience coping with having a parent behind bars. We also sit down for an in-depth conversation with Author and Professor Alan Singer & talk about the causes and effects of having a parent incarcerated.
Please share your views in the comment section below or connect with me on twitter @susanmodaress
Thank you for watching.

Пікірлер: 29

@reentryroads7242 2 жыл бұрын

I spent 32 years working in Corrections. A statement I would frequently listen to with skepticism was “my children are the most important thing in my life”. The more I heard this statement the more I was disappointed about my skepticism and later realized I should have been doing something about it rather than doubting those words because the children deserve the benefit of the doubt. I retired 9 months ago but by no means is it too late for me to try. I believe strongly in incentive programs since it emulates normalcy, when you do well at work, you can get a commendation, a raise or promotion. When you do well in the community you may get recognized for it, when you do well in your home life you get appreciation. Hearing this statement so frequently I believe that a Parent/Teacher/Organization incentive program would create the opportunity for incarcerated individuals to prove to their children that they really are the “most important thing” in their life. They could use their time to tutor, mentor and bond with their children rather than getting involved with all the other things that seem to take over their time in prison. That's my goal and what I'm working on with some great partners now. What can you do about it? It's not just the problem of the incarcerated, it is a community problem, and we need to realize that.

@jazmineb4134 5 жыл бұрын

This shit hit me hard, my mother has been incarcerated since i was 7 i am 26 years old now, and i feel like theres so many hidden consequences that are devastating to children with parents in jail and growing up it just felt like there was no emotional or community support for ppl going thru this. Its like a systemic problem with so much pain trailing behind it

@Maya-xm5jx 2 жыл бұрын

So sad. It’s worse than death knowing they’re alive but gone. Please don’t get caught up on the shame and embarrassment; your parent’s crime do not define YOU. Keep praying🙏🏿

@rolandomota9540 7 жыл бұрын

its sad and life wrecking my life feels like nothing since my father was incarcerated 11 years ago i am 19 now and still cry every time he calls me i just wish things changed..i understand the pain alot of other people live thru every day..