Mentoring Prisoner's Children: A Prevention & Intervention Strategy That Works Kristy A. Stender-Bratcher, M.Ed Mentoring Prisoner's Children: A Prevention & Intervention Strategy That Works Kristy A. Stender-Bratcher, M.Ed

Children of Prisoners: Myth or Fact 1.Parents should have thought about their children before thy committed the crime. They don’t really deserve their children. 2.Children of prisoners are better off without contact with their parents. 3.Supporting the relationship between a child and an incarcerated parent is in effect, minimizing the criminal activity of the parent.

Children of Prisoners: Myth or Fact 4. Most parents in prison have a history of drug and alcohol use, abuse and addiction so they were probably not very concerned about their children before they went to prison. 5. By the time a parent goes to prison or jail it is too late to help them in their relationships with their children.

Children of Prisoners: Myth or Fact 6. When children of prisoners are cared for by family members, the impact of parental incarceration is not as traumatic as if the child must live with a non-family member. 7. In the communities that children of prisoners often come from, the incarceration of a parent is part of life…a right of passage…and has little stigma or trauma associated with it. 8. Prison visits will make children too scared or it will desensitize them to the punitive nature of incarceration.

Children of Prisoners: The Facts On June 30, 2002 the single day count of incarcerated persons exceeded 2 million for the first time. “Prison and Jail Inmates at Midyear 2002.” Bureau of Justice Statistics. (Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, August 2003)On June 30, 2002 the single day count of incarcerated persons exceeded 2 million for the first time. “Prison and Jail Inmates at Midyear 2002.” Bureau of Justice Statistics. (Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, August 2003) United States leads the world in the number of people incarcerated at any given time.United States leads the world in the number of people incarcerated at any given time.

Children of Prisoners: The Facts Fill in the Blanks 1 in adults in the U.S. is under some form of correctional supervision (jail, prison, probation, or parole).1 in adults in the U.S. is under some form of correctional supervision (jail, prison, probation, or parole). That translates into approximately million children.That translates into approximately million children. That translates into approximately one in children everyday are directly impacted by their parents criminal justice involvement.That translates into approximately one in children everyday are directly impacted by their parents criminal justice involvement.

Children of Prisoners: The Facts Currently more than 2.3 million children have an incarcerated parent, up from 500,000 in “Incarcerated parents and their Children”, Bureau of Justice Statistics Bulletin, (Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, August 2000)Currently more than 2.3 million children have an incarcerated parent, up from 500,000 in “Incarcerated parents and their Children”, Bureau of Justice Statistics Bulletin, (Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, August 2000) Over the last 15 years, the number of children of prisoners has increased by over 300%.Over the last 15 years, the number of children of prisoners has increased by over 300%.

Children of Prisoners: The Facts Question: How many children of prisoners will end up in the criminal justice system themselves (either in adolescence or adult) without positive interventions in their lives? Answer:70%

Children of Prisoners: The Facts The Living Arrangements Caregiver Relationship to Child Incarcerated Mother Incarcerated Father Other Natural Parent 20%87% Grandparents60%9% Foster Care 10%2% Other Relatives/Friends 10%2% TOTAL100%100%

Children of Prisoners: The Facts How old are these children? 58% of the children are younger than ten years old.58% of the children are younger than ten years old. Their average age is 8.Their average age is 8.

Children of Prisoners: A Hidden Population Why? An overwhelmed child protection systemAn overwhelmed child protection system Negative public attitudes toward incarcerated individuals and their familiesNegative public attitudes toward incarcerated individuals and their families Poor communication among prisons, child welfare, schools, and other social service agenciesPoor communication among prisons, child welfare, schools, and other social service agencies Shame and stigma associated with parental incarcerationShame and stigma associated with parental incarceration Lack of common databasesLack of common databases

Children of Prisoners: Above All Else… …mourn the loss of their incarcerated parents… … some mourn the loss of the parent that was available to care for them… …others mourn the loss of the parent that “could have been”

Children of Prisoners: At Most Risk CommunityFamilySchool Peer/ Individual Availability of drugs History of the problem behavior Lack of commitment Early initiation of the problem behavior Availability of firearms Management problems Lack of bonding Favorable attitudes toward the problem behavior Media portrayals of violence Exposure to criminal activity Friends who engage in the problem behavior Transition and mobility Child maltreatment Rebelliousness & Gang involvement Low neighborhood attachment & community disorganization Favorable attitudes & involvement in the problem behavior Academic failure beginning in late elementary Early persistent anti-social behavior Extreme economic deprivation Family Conflict Constitutional factors

Children of Prisoners: Where are They? Spokane County by Zip Code –

Children of Prisoners: Where are They? Lincoln County by Zip Code

Children of Prisoners: Where are They? Ferry County by Zip Code

Children of Prisoners: Where are They? Pend Oreille County by Zip Code – – – – –

Children of Prisoners: Where are They? Stevens County by Zip Code –

Mentoring: A Prevention & Intervention Strategy That Works Children of Prisoners Now become… CHILDREN OF PROMISE!

Mentoring: A Prevention & Intervention Strategy That Works The Mentoring Model is: Researched BasedResearched Based Proven & EffectiveProven & Effective One-to-OneOne-to-One Community-Based & Site-BasedCommunity-Based & Site-Based One Hour a WeekOne Hour a Week Minimum of 9 MonthsMinimum of 9 Months

Research Facts (Dept. of Justice; PPV) Higher levels of self-confidence – 64%Higher levels of self-confidence – 64% More positive attitudes towards school – 64%More positive attitudes towards school – 64% Less likely to skip school – 52%Less likely to skip school – 52% Better relationships – 60% of youth towards adults; 56% of youth to peerBetter relationships – 60% of youth towards adults; 56% of youth to peer Less likely to begin using illegal drugs – 46%Less likely to begin using illegal drugs – 46% Increased academic performanceIncreased academic performance Mentoring: A Intervention Strategy That Works

Mentoring vs. Protective Factors: Compare & Contrast Protective Factors ModelResearch Facts Nurtures individual characteristicsNurtures individual characteristics Increases bonding to families, schools, communities and peer groupsIncreases bonding to families, schools, communities and peer groups Provides opportunitiesProvides opportunities Provides skillsProvides skills Provides recognitionProvides recognition Higher levels of self- confidence – 64% More positive attitudes towards school – 64% Better relationships – 60% of youth towards adults; 56% of youth to peer Less likely to skip school – 52% Less likely to begin using illegal drugs – 46% Increased academic performance

Mentoring Children of Promise is a collaborative effort by

Children of Promise’s Supportive Partner

Children of Promise