Family and Fatherhood Program McNeil Island Corrections Center “Keeping Communities Safe” Presenters: Rick Jordan, MICC Representative Sylvia Peterson, Community Representative and Family Advocate

Research on Children Without Involved Fathers 70% offenders grew up without a father 5 times more likely to live in poverty 71% of high school drop outs Experience behavioral or emotional problems 10 times more likely to become juvenile offenders

Research on Children with Involved Fathers Sons learn male responsibility and achievement Daughters learn to trust men Twice as likely to enter college Twice as likely to obtain steady employment 75% less likely to have a teen birth 80% less likely to spend time in prison

Challenges to overcome Teaching offenders how to be involved parents while keeping the institution safe Determining offender eligibility for safety of children Changing prison culture No funding No additional staffing

We Took Action Brainstorm Survey and assess family needs Identify root causes MICC & Community Advisory Council City Representatives Literacy Family Advocates Youth & Child-based Groups Faith-based Groups School Representatives Child Support Community & Citizen Leaders We created a team to…

Cause and Effect Diagram Limited involvement in children’s lives Policies limit child/family involvement No advocacy for fathers Case plans do not include family activities Phone Charges expensive Limited visiting hours Visiting Room not visitor friendly Limited space for activities Difficult access to island for visiting Separated from children No emphasis on paying child support Prison culture does not support children POLICY & PROCEDURES PLANT/EQUIPMENT ENVIRONMENT No involvement in children’s education Limited parenting skills Staff Attitude Child’s guardian doesn’t want child to have contact with father Single Parents No positive role models PEOPLE

The Team Took Action The Team Developed the Family and Fatherhood program In order to “Break the cycle” of present and future incarcerations

Components of the Family & Fatherhood Program Offender Accountability Family Focused Skill Development Child and Family Focused Activities Family Support Advocacy Partnerships

Offender Accountability Incarcerated fathers need to be personally and financially responsible for their children Offender case management plans address family & fatherhood issues Offender infraction history is reviewed prior to participation in program

Child & Family Focused Activities Long Distance Dads Family Dynamics Partnership for Child Support Women’s Seminar Father/Child Gift Exchange Father’s and Children’s Day Strollers for Visitors Read to Me Daddy Books on the Boat Parent/Teacher Conferences

Program Results Public Benefit - “Breaking the Cycle” 76% reduction of Serious Infractions of program participants. Learning & Growth Family Friendly Activities became part of the Agency’s Strategic Plan Average annual incarceration cost per offender $24, children are affected by involved fathers. This means 80% or 241 would be less likely to experience incarceration Which means an average annual future prison cost avoidance $5.9 million Reduce Future Incarceration Costs Internal Process

Transitioning Families