2008 Woodie Awards
Serial Scribblings: Needs of children of incarcerated parents addressed in new bill
Sam Koch '11
Issue date: 3/19/08 Section: Opinion
I was 14 years old the first time I was locked out of my house. Standing before my front door, hands fumbling through the vastness of my book bag, a wave of frustration washed over me.
My parents had entrusted me with a copy of the house key, and, in my usual fashion, I had left it on the dresser in my room.
Sitting exasperated on the porch at 2:45 in the afternoon, I knew that it would be at least another two hours before my mom would return home from grocery shopping.
Unfortunately, For many kids in this country, Mom never comes home with the groceries.
Nationally, there are approximately 1.5 million children who have a parent in jail.
In Pennsylvania, 60 percent of incarcerated women are mothers with children under the age of 18.
This fact is alarming, especially considering that, according to a 2007 study by the Pew Center, Pennsylvania's state prison population has increased 24 percent since 1999.
Along with the increasing numbers of men and women in jails comes a correlating increase in the number of children who come home to empty houses.
Fortunately, Pennsylvania State Representative Cherelle Parker has recently introduced a bill cleverly named the "No Child Left Alone Act," which would eventually provide ways to help these children.
According to Bill Thomas, a media specialist in the Democratic Communications Office in the PA House of Representatives, "the bill sets up a task force to create a plan to address the needs of children of incarcerated parents."
In an editorial sent to various newspapers throughout the state, Parker asserted that "the measure would seek to gather information as to how the Commonwealth can address this issue and to assist caregivers in meeting these children's needs."
Regrettably, no programs currently exist concerning the care of children not present during an arrest.
Thomas stated that "unless the child is present at the time the parent is taken into custody, no protocol exists for ensuring the child's basic needs are met.
My parents had entrusted me with a copy of the house key, and, in my usual fashion, I had left it on the dresser in my room.
Sitting exasperated on the porch at 2:45 in the afternoon, I knew that it would be at least another two hours before my mom would return home from grocery shopping.
Unfortunately, For many kids in this country, Mom never comes home with the groceries.
Nationally, there are approximately 1.5 million children who have a parent in jail.
In Pennsylvania, 60 percent of incarcerated women are mothers with children under the age of 18.
This fact is alarming, especially considering that, according to a 2007 study by the Pew Center, Pennsylvania's state prison population has increased 24 percent since 1999.
Along with the increasing numbers of men and women in jails comes a correlating increase in the number of children who come home to empty houses.
Fortunately, Pennsylvania State Representative Cherelle Parker has recently introduced a bill cleverly named the "No Child Left Alone Act," which would eventually provide ways to help these children.
According to Bill Thomas, a media specialist in the Democratic Communications Office in the PA House of Representatives, "the bill sets up a task force to create a plan to address the needs of children of incarcerated parents."
In an editorial sent to various newspapers throughout the state, Parker asserted that "the measure would seek to gather information as to how the Commonwealth can address this issue and to assist caregivers in meeting these children's needs."
Regrettably, no programs currently exist concerning the care of children not present during an arrest.
Thomas stated that "unless the child is present at the time the parent is taken into custody, no protocol exists for ensuring the child's basic needs are met.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Rhonda
posted 6/12/08 @ 11:37 AM EST
I am a mother of a son whose father is incarcerated until after his 18th birthday (my son is 4 years old right now).
I was told I cannot obtain child support for my son and there is no help anywhere else. (Continued…)
Lee
posted 8/04/08 @ 1:11 PM EST
I am in the same boat my daughter's father has been in prison the past 7 years. He was just released in 2007 and does not have to pay back that past due amount. (Continued…)
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