When a child loses a parent, whether they pass away, leave because of divorce or military deployment, the child receives sympathy and community support. When a parent goes to prison, their children don’t receive that same care. Over 2 million children in the United States experience the detrimental economic, social and emotional effects of a parent’s incarceration. They often experience the trauma
of multiple changes in caregivers, separation from siblings and inconsistent living arrangements. Studies have shown that parental arrest and confinement often lead to stress, trauma, shame and separation anxiety which may be compounded by existing poverty, violence, substance abuse and high crime communities. Many children of incarcerated parents are angry and lash out at others, leading to disruptions in school and confrontations with law enforcement and authority figures.
