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Health & Fitness

Children of the Incarcerated

Local Voice Marc A. Wiley Sr. asks the question, Are the fates of children tied to that of their parents?

As of August 9, 2006, The Chicago Reporter estimates that there are approximately 90,000 children in Illinois with parents in jail or prison or on probation or parole. There is currently no system that tracks children with incarcerated parents. Neither the criminal justice system nor schools document this information

There is a lack of information about services. Prisoners are not aware of services for their children. School social workers say not enough referral programs are available. There is a lack of coordination of services. Nearly all of the social service providers and experts surveyed believe children with incarcerated parents should receive counseling. However, only 16 percent of inmates surveyed say their children are, in fact, receiving counseling or therapy.

Almost 90 percent of service providers and experts believe it is critical to advocate for the child(ren) while their parents are being sentenced. Yet, less than 20 percent of providers actually advocate for children during sentencing.

Across the nation, children of the incarcerated, as much as their parents, bear the consequences of a misdeed or a mistake. They are disproportionately poor, African American and Latino and, for many, their lives are shaped by the same cycle of recidivism that ensnares their incarcerated parents. This cycle leaves children of the incarcerated bound by poverty, violence, uncertainty and deprivation. Research shows that, without intervention, a large percentage - some estimates go as high as 70 percent - of children with parents involved in the criminal justice system are themselves likely to end up in the system.

I believe if you give any individual a chance and resources, they can accomplish anything their heart desires. We can always find funding for building more jails and prisons, but never find funding to save our children.

I wrote back in the summer of 2006, "Summer Camp or Boot Camp." We are willing to pay over $15,000.00 or more for housing inmates in our jails, but will not help send our children to camp over the summer. I believe certain officials understand the jails and prisons are good for creating jobs and high salaries for their friends and family. When will it end and stop the "CHILDREN OF THE INCARCERATED."

I believe we can end this process which may take some time. But we need to get more involved in the communities. I was a big advocate when Robbins library was faced with closing. So much more work to do and people need to get involved. Work with local ministers and elected officials.

It wont be easy, but we need to get back to the basics.

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