September 11 Digital Archive

For prisoners children, a life of tragedy

Title

For prisoners children, a life of tragedy

Source

born-digital

Media Type

article

Original Name

Resumen has always stood by our prisoners through this and many other sufferings. We believe that th

Created by Author

yes

Described by Author

no

Date Entered

2002-04-02

VTMBH Article: Edition

14

VTMBH Article: Article Order

1

VTMBH Article: Title

For prisoners children, a life of tragedy

VTMBH Article: Author

Lionel Rodríguez

VTMBH Article: Publication

Resumen

VTMBH Article: Original Language

Spanish

VTMBH Article: Translator

Hannah Emmerich

VTMBH Article: Section

edits

VTMBH Article: Blurb

Resumen has always stood by our prisoners through this and many other sufferings. We believe that those who disrespect the law must pay the consequences, but we must also respect the human rights of prisoners and look out for their children, who suffer tr

VTMBH Article: Keywords

VTMBH Article: Body

CLINTON, NJ. The number of women imprisoned, especially for drug-related offenses, has tripled during the last decade. Ninety percent of children who live in orphanages or foster care have at least one parent that has been, or is currently, incarcerated, according to a study presented by the Forum for the Aid to Children of Incarcerated Parents and conducted at the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility in Clinton.

The study was commissioned by Assemblywoman Mary Previte (D-Camden) with the support of experts, legislators, politicians, and community leaders to examine possible solutions to the serious problem of children of incarcerated mothers and fathers. Investigators for the study found that half of adolescents who are currently serving time at Edna Mahan are children of prisoners or former prisoners, and that children of jailed parents are at high risk for juvenile delinquency. The absence of the incarcerated parent often forces the child into foster or orphan care, increasing the likelihood of pregnancy or experimentation with drugs and alcohol. Some of the studys participants disagreed with this notion of manifest destiny; however, they found the data both relevant and worrisome.

The study also addressed the Rockefeller Law and 1980s-era anti-drug legislation passed during intensification of the war on drugs. These laws impose harsh and lengthy sentences on first-time and nonviolent offenders without anticipating the possible effects on the children of these offenders.

As a consequence of these laws and policies, the number of imprisoned mothers has tripled, remarked Previte. Two thirds of incarcerated mothers have children under age 18, many with children under the age of 10. When these laws were passed, no one took into consideration the repercussions they would have on the children of those incarcerated. Laws that were passed to protect out society are now, in fact, creating other problems, the worst of which is putting children in danger.

The Forum concluded that the country can no longer afford, economically or socially, to continue to ignore the fact that politics within the judicial system generate conditions that put children of incarcerated parents at risk for delinquency themselves. The abandonment, often involuntarily, of these children can severely and irrevocably damage the childrens relationships with their families and communities.

Finally, the Forum advocated that the government work towards a system which helps save children who must suffer the errors of their parents. They called for the reexamination of sentences for nonviolent offenders, more family visits and more just custody laws, and the institution of rehabilitation programs for incarcerated parents to ease the transition into family life.

For more details about the Forum, contact Edgardo Cardinalli at (609) 292-7065.

Resumen has always stood by our prisoners through this and many other sufferings. We believe that those who disrespect the law must pay the consequences, but we must also respect the human rights of prisoners. If not, punishment turns into torture, abuse, and sadism.

VTMBH Article: Line Breaks

1

VTMBH Article: Date

2002-04-02

VTMBH Article: Thumb

VTMBH Article: Article File

v14e1.doc

VTMBH Article: Hit Count

167

Citation

“For prisoners children, a life of tragedy,” September 11 Digital Archive, accessed November 8, 2024, https://911digitalarchive.org/items/show/1390.