For prisoners children, a life of tragedy
Title
For prisoners children, a life of tragedy
Vtmbh article article file
v14e1.doc
Vtmbh article article order
1
Vtmbh article author
Lionel RodrÃguez
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 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.
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 date
2002-04-02
Vtmbh article edition
14
Vtmbh article hit count
167
Vtmbh article keywords
Vtmbh article line breaks
1
Vtmbh article original language
Spanish
Vtmbh article publication
Resumen
Vtmbh article section
edits
Vtmbh article thumb
Vtmbh article title
For prisoners children, a life of tragedy
Vtmbh article translator
Hannah Emmerich
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
Collection
Citation
“For prisoners children, a life of tragedy,” September 11 Digital Archive, accessed October 1, 2026, https://911.dev.chnm.gmu.edu/items/1390/.