Bill of Rights for Children of Incarcerated Parents

In 2003 the San Francisco Partnership for Incarcerated Parents published the following Bill of Rights for children of incarcerated parents based on work originally done by Gretchen Newby of Friends Outside, a California organization that addresses the special needs of families affected by incarceration. The Bill of Rights recognizes that children’s needs extend well beyond physical comfort and security. This bill has been adopted as best practice by many organizations nationwide, that work with children of incarcerated parents.

The following are excerpted from Children of Incarcerated Parents: A Bill of Rights.

Parenting Inside Out: http://www.parentinginsideout.org/the-children-of-incarcerated-parents-bill-of-rights/

Children whose parents are imprisoned carry tremendous burdens. No only do they lose the company and care of a parent, they also must deal with the stigma of parental incarceration and fear for their parent’s safety and well-being. Researchers who have interviewed offenders’ children have found them prone to depression, anger and shame. Many young children experience a parent’s arrest as simple abandonment.

Separation is hard on families—but so, paradoxically, is reunion. Recently-released prisoners face an obstacle course of challenges and obligations. They must maintain a relationship with a parole or probation officer; find work and housing despite a criminal record; and struggle to rebuild relationships with friends and family. Losing a parent to incarceration is a life-changing event. Those who work with children impacted by incarceration can use this Bill of Rights to guide policies and procedures that can help to mitigate some of the trauma and can help children develop the resilience to live positive, prosocial lives.