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LIBRARY SERVICES AND OUTREACH FOR CHILDREN OF INCARCERATED PARENTS
BY ANGELA BAIR
IN-SERVICE ACTIVITY: SHARE YOUR STORY ACTIVITY
Image From: http://enriquesantos.com/the-night-dad-went-to-jail-shocking-childrens-book-explains-what-happens-when-a-family-member-gets-arrested/
Image From: https://www.getonthebus.us/pdf/talking-to-children.pdf
LITTLE CHILDREN BIG CHALLENGES: INCARCERATION
Video From: https://youtu.be/UbD-0xkIYuA
DID YOU KNOW? The United States has the world’s largest prison population.1 It holds 5% of the world’s population but 25% of all the prisoners in the world. More than 2 million Americans are imprisoned in federal, state, and local jails.2 About 1/2 of U.S. prisoners are parents of children under 18, nearly 3 million
children.2
More than 1/3 of children were expected to reach the age of 18 while their parents were still incarcerated.3
Between 1991 and 2007, the number of children with mothers in prison more than doubled, up 131% while the number of fathers in prison grew by 77%. 1
1.7 million children have a parent in prison.4
African-American children are 8 times and Latino children are 3 times more likely than white children to have a parent in prison.5
PARENT INCARNATION EFFECTS ON CHILDRENParent incarceration creates challenging situations for children and families result in:
Financial instability and material hardship from the loss of a parents income. 6
Lack of access to basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter, medical care, and support networks. 7
Residential mobility 6
School behavioral issues and poor academic outcomes. 6
Shame and bullying from peers or classmates due to social stigmas. 9
Strong emotional and mental trauma with developmental impacts from losing a parent or witnessing their arrest. 7
Strained relationships with incarcerated parent, caregivers, family, and friends. 8
Loss of parental caregiver due to long term care in the foster care system beyond the time by law. 6Image From: https://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/gokids/gokids_articles_children_impacted.html
WHY SERVE THIS VULNERABLE POPULATION?
Poverty 10 Low socioeconomic status10 Lack of educational attainment12
Low literacy skills11
Scarcity of support10 Limited access to resources10 Live in high crime environments and household full of strain. 10
Generations of children end up with family members in prison. 10 Increasing rates of children who have an incarcerated parent(s) or family member.10
Image from: http://www.ctcip.org/incarcerated-parent/ways-to-support-children/
HOW LIBRARIES CAN HELP? Offer programs and services. 13 Develop a collection of resources and print materials for children of incarcerated parents.
13 Recommend appropriate books and resources. 13 Provide conscientious activities and programs. 13
Offer programs that will attract children and families of the incarcerated. 13
Creating a display geared toward families dealing with an incarcerated parent. 13
Create a open discussion program on issues within the criminal justice system. 13 Work with organizations to create programming to serve within prisons. 13 Attempt to connect caregivers, family, and the children of the incarcerated parent. 13
Image from: www. contracostatimes.com/breaking-news/ci_27691434/alameda-county-librarian-connects-incarcerated-youths-lesser-known
POSITIVES OF DEVELOPING A COLLECTION FOR CHILDREN OF INCARCERATED PARENTS Increased literacy skills of both the incarcerated parent and their child. 14 Improved parenting skills. 14 Strengthened the relationship of the caregiver, incarcerated parent, and the child. 14 Developed interest and enthusiasm in reading. 14 Improved behavior and idleness of the incarcerated parent. 14 Eased family unification upon the incarcerated parent’s release. 14 Created a safe environment supportive of the reading and education for the
incarcerated parent and their child. 14 Answers questions about jails and prison life for children of incarcerated parents. 15
Helps the incarcerated parent and child with educational attainment. 16
Has a developmental impact on children of incarcerated parents. 16
Image From: http://chronicle.umbmentoring.org/an-attachment-perspective-on-incarcerated-parents-and-their-children/
POSITIVES OF DEVELOPING A COLLECTION FOR CHILDREN WITH INCARCERATED PARENTS Helps children of incarcerated parents understand their feelings about losing a
parent by reading books that relate to their emotional trauma (Helps children relate to book characters). 17
Helps libraries collaborate with other organizations for outreach and programming to support children with incarcerated parents. 18
Encourages children to communicate with their incarcerated parent(s). 18 Keeps incarcerated parents in touch with their children. 18 Brings broken families together. 18 Children need books on incarceration for examining and discussing issues within
the criminal justice system. 17
A teaching tool for children who have not experienced a parent or family member go to jail can learn about the experience children of incarcerated parents face. 17
BARRIERS OF DEVELOPING A COLLECTION POSITIVES OF DEVELOPING A COLLECTION FOR CHILDREN OF INCARCERATED PARENTS
Finding age appropriate materials that introduce topics that are developmentally appropriate. 18
Materials can be difficult to locate and purchase. 18
Finding multicultural materials that depict the life of an incarcerated parent with accuracy. 17
Finding materials that will not bring emotional trauma or harm to the young reader. 18 Budgeting barriers for purchasing materials. 18
Finding materials that are the appropriate reading level of the young reader. 18
Is the item appropriate to display in reading areas. 18
Restrictions on content and titles of the reading materials. 18
Work with caregivers or parents on choosing proper materials. 18
Censorship Challenges. 18 Image from https://scherrermadness.wordpress.com/category/social-issues/
COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT RESOURCESResources for building a print and digital resource collection for children of incarcerated parents: Journals Clopton, K. L., & East, K. K. (2008). A List of Books About a Parent in Prison. Early Childhood
Education Journal, 36(2), 199-200. Schlafer, Rebecca J.; Scrignoli, Alyssa. Tough Topic, Necessary Reading: Finding Books for
Children with Incarcerated Parents. Children & Libraries. 2015; 13 (1):24-28. Digital Resources All is Well. (2015). Resources for Children with An Incarcerated Parent:
http://www.shellyduffer.com/resources-for-children-of-inmates/. ALSC. (2015). Library Services to Special Population Children and Their Caregivers: A Toolkit
for Librarians and Library Worker: http://www.ala.org/alsc/sites/ala.org.alsc/files/content/professional-tools/lsspcc-toolkit-2015.pdf.
Ann B. Casey. (2008) Children With Incarcerated Parents: A List of Select Resources: http://www.aecf.org/m/resourcedoc/aecf-childrenwithincarceratedparentsresourcelist-2008.pdf.
Image from http://omazingkidsllc.com/tag/books-to-use-in-kids-yoga/
COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES
Cuyahoga County Family & Children First Council. (2015). Children of Incarcerated Parents Forum Resources: http://fcfc.cuyahogacounty.us/en-US/news_cip_resources.aspx.
Martin & Holahan. (2015). Reading with dad: serving incarcerated parents and their families through collection development and literacy training.
New Hampshire Department of Corrections. (2015). List of Books for Children of Incarcerated Parents: http://www.nh.gov/nhdoc/fcc/books.html.
Parents Inside Out (2015). Resources for Kids. http://www.parentinginsideout.org/resources/. Rutgers (2015). Children of Incarcerated Parents Library:
https://nrccfi.camden.rutgers.edu/resources/library/children-of-prisoners-library/ S & F Online. (2015). Children of Incarcerated Parents: Recommended Reading:
http://sfonline.barnard.edu/children/reading.htm.
Image from http://www.kidsbabydesign.com/category/childrens-books/
STARTING OUTREACH & SERVICE PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN OF INCARCERATED PARENTS
Steps for starting an outreach programs to children of incarcerated parents: Contact someone in the jail administration. 19 Remember the setting. 19
Find volunteers or staff and train them. 19
Think about a budget. 20
Stick to the rules. 19
Plan out your program 13
Plan for challenges and barriers 13
Implement the outreach program 19
See the results. 19 Image from: http://www.ifound.org/community/other-community-initiatives/
EXAMPLES OF LIBRARY OUTREACH & SERVICES TO CHILDREN OF INCARCERATED PARENTS
“Read with Dad” Grafton-Midview Public Libraryhttp://
www.slideshare.net/nicoleleemartin2/reading-with-dad-vhc-2015?qid=bf81723c-0a2e-452a-9200-
a06f6775489e&v=qf1&b=&from_search=1. “Daddy and Me” New York Public Library
http://www.nypl.org/help/community-outreach/correctional-services “Storybook Dads” Toronto Public Library
http://www.macaulaycentre.org/images/MacToday/MacTodayMay2013.pdf “Start With A Story” Alameda County Public Library
https://startwithastory.wordpress.com/ “Read to Me” Indiana State Library
http://www.in.gov/library/RTM.htmImage From: https://michelleeastmanbooks.wordpress.com/2015/04/16/attention-generous-childrens-authors-thank-you/
EXAMPLES OF LIBRARY OUTREACH & SERVICES TO CHILDREN OF INCARCERATED PARENTS
“FATHERS Program” Marin County Free Library & San Rafael Public Library http://libraryliteracy.org/webcasts/11-16-08/curtis_corrections.pdf
“Read to Me” Hennepin County Libraryhttp://www.hclib.org/about/outreach
“Books without Barriers” Multnomah County Public Libraryhttp://www.docstoc.com/docs/29923491/Multnomah-County-Library---DOC
“Read Aloud Program” Suffolk County House of Correction & the Boston Public Library http://communitysuccess.org/sites/default/files/u9/SCSD_EDUCATION_AND_REENTRY_PROGRA MS%202010.pdf
“Read to Your Children” Colorado Public Libraryhttp://
www.cde.state.co.us/sites/default/files/documents/cdelib/prisonlibraries/download/pdf/brochu
re_read_to_the_children.pdf
Image From: http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=32955380
“READ WITH DAD” PROGRAM GRAFTON-MIDVIEW PUBLIC LIBRARY
COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT AND OUTREACH QUESTIONNAIRE
Image from www.americanlibrariesmagazine.org
REFERENCES 1Murray, D., Farrington, D., & Sekol, I. (2012). Far Children’s Antisocial Behavioral, Mental Health, Drug Use, and Educational Performance After Parental Incarceration: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Psychological Bulletin. 138 (2): 175-210.
2Bhattacharjee, A. (2002). Private Fists and Public Force, Race, Gender, and Surveillance.In Sillman, J. & Bhattacharjee, A. (Eds.), Policing the National Body: Race, Gender, and Criminalization. Massachusetts: South End Press. 2002.
3Glaze, L. E., & Maruschak, L. M. (2008). Parents in prison and their minor children. (NCJ 222984). Washington, DC: U.S Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics. Retrieved from http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/pub/pdf/pptmc.pdf.4 Osborne, R. (2004). From outreach to equity: Innovative models of library policy and practice. American Library Association.5 Eddy, M. (2010). Children of incarcerated parents. Washington D.C.: Urban Institute Press. 6The Annie E. Casey Foundation. Children of Incarcerated Parents Fact Sheet. Retrieved from http://www.aecf.org/resources/children-of-incarcerated-parents-fact-sheet/7New Jersey Department of Corrections Divisions of Programs and Community Services Office of Transitional Services. (2007). “What About Me: When a Parent Goes to Prison.” New Jersey Department of Corrections. Retrieved from: http://www.state.nj.us/corrections/pdf/OTS/090311_What_About_Me.pdf.
REFERENCES
8La Vigne, N., Davies, & Brazzell, Diana. (2008) Broken Bonds: Understanding and Addressing the Needs of Children with Incarcerated Parents. Urban Institute Justice Policy Center Research Report. 9Rosen, Eric. (2011). Supporting Students with Incarcerated Parents. Principal Leadership. 10Marushak, Glaze, & Mumola. (2010).Incarcerated Parents & Their Children: Findings From the Bureau of Justice Statistics. pp. 33-51. In Children of Incarcerated Parents: A Handbook for Researchers and Practitioners. Washington D.C.: Urban Institute Press. 11Piazza, S. & Duncan, L. (2012). After-School Literacy Engagements With Struggling Readers. Reading & Writing Quarterly: Overcoming Learning Difficulties 28, (3). 229-254. 12Harlow, C.W. Education and Correctional Populations. NCJ 195670. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2003. http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/ecp.pdf.
REFERENCES13 Sullivan, M. Welcoming Children and Families Affected by Incarceration. Public Libraries. 2013; 52 (4): 41-43.
14Walden, D. Breaking the Cycle: Prison Reading Program Encourages Literacy. Colorado Libraries. 2004; 30 (4): 21-22.
15Schlafer, R. & J.. Scrignoli, Alyssa. Tough Topic, Necessary Reading: Finding Books for Children with Incarcerated Parents. Children & Libraries. 2015; 13 (1):24-28.
16Schneider, J. (1996). Prison libraries change lives. American Libraries, 2746-48.
17Oslick, M. E. (2013). Children's Voices: Reactions to a Criminal Justice Issue Picture Book. The Reading Teacher, 66(7), 543-552.
18 Gardner, S. (2015). Reading Unites Families: An Interactive Literacy Program for Incarcerated Fathers and Their Children. Corrections Today, 77(2), 38-42.
19 Cottrell, M. (2014). Reading on the Inside. American Libraries, 45(11/12), 46-49.20Higgins, N. (2013). Family Literacy on the Inside. Public Libraries, 52(1), 30-35.
