Rights and Needs of Children of Incarcerated Parents

The impact of witnessing and living with the arrest and incarceration of a parent is overwhelming for children and families. Until recently, these young people had not been recognized as a specific group with special needs, and there is little knowledge about what interventions might measurably improve their prospects in life. Recently, numerous efforts have begun to assist youth who have a parent in prison.

This article begins by exploring the Children of Promise-- Mentors of Hope mentoring program, modeled on the successful Amachi Program in Philadelphia. It then explores, in depth, The Children of Incarcerated Parents: A Bill of Rights. The "Bill of Rights" was developed from interviews with young people who had experienced parental incarceration. It includes eight "rights" and action steps which can help those who work with youth visualize how the rights might be implemented.