An estimated 1.7 million youth younger than 18 years old currently have at least one parent in prison in the United States, and millions more have a parent in jail. The problems children of incarcerated parents can experience include financial instability, emotional distress, changes in family structure, problems at school, and social stigma. At the same time, 20 percent of youth in custody have or are expecting children. These young parents often require services to assist them in transitioning back to their communities and promoting the health and well-being of their families.
The White House, the U.S. Department of Justice, OJJDP, and other federal agencies are working vigorously across many fronts to help families affected by a parent’s incarceration access the support they need.
On October 8, 2014, the White House Domestic Policy Office and Office of Pubic Engagement in collaboration with OJJDP, the Office of the Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) sponsored an event that highlighted recent developments in the federal government’s work to address the needs of families affected by incarceration as well as a panel discussion on promoting effective policy to address the issue. Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to the President, and Cecilia Muñoz, Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, offered remarks. The audience also heard from Miss America 2012, Laura Kaeppeler-Fleiss, who spoke on her personal experience as the child of an incarcerated parent.
The event also featured a preview of "Visiting: Through the Youth Lens," a film from Echoes of Incarceration, a documentary initiative produced by youth with incarcerated parents. The project explores the issue of mass incarceration and its effects on families, and creates documentary films told from the life experiences of the filmmakers themselves.
Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) Karol V. Mason announced the following new OJP initiatives to address the needs of families impacted by incarceration:
In addition, the Director of the Bureau of Prisons, Charles Samuels, announced the creation of a new Reentry Resources Division at the U.S. Department of Justice, and Pamela Hyde, Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration at HHS, announced new resources to help incarcerated parents with reentry and navigating the child welfare system.
The event was planned as a followup to the June 2013 White House Champions of Change event that honored individuals who have dedicated themselves to supporting children of incarcerated parents and their caregivers.
Resources:
On October 8, 2014, Roy L. Austin Jr., Deputy Assistant to the President for the Office of Urban Affairs, Justice and Opportunity; and Karol V. Mason, Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs, posted a blog about the White House event. The blog may be accessed online.
Numerous government agencies provide services that support children who find themselves impacted by the incarceration of a parent. Information about these resources is available at findyouthinfo.gov/youth-topics/children-of-incarcerated-parents. OJJDP's report Mentoring Children of Incarcerated Parents is also available online.