Incarcerated Parents Bill Of Rights Case Study

“The United States leads the world in rates of incarceration with more than one in every 100 adults in America in jail and prison” (The Annie E. Casey Foundation, 2015). With rates so high, it is critical that policies and programs in America offer help and support to not only the incarcerated parents, but also the children that are dramatically effected by a love one locked away. It is extremely important because, “…most female inmates are mothers of minor children, and many are single parents” (The Annie E. Casey Foundation, 2015). This meaning more children do not have another parent to go to so they are forced to bounce within the foster care system. Children living with an incarcerated parent can lead to the child’s welfare to decrease, …show more content…
The United States have an extreme amount of parents living in the prison and jail systems, but social workers also need to look at the little ones also effected; the children. Not only do adults have Bill of Rights, but so do children in America. According to the Children of Incarcerated Parents Bill of Rights, it states, “I have the right to be kept safe and informed at the time of my parents’ arrest. I have the right to be heard when decisions are made about me. I have the right to be heard when decisions are made about me. I have the right to be considered when decisions are made about my parents. I have the right to be well-cared for in my parents’ absence. I have the right to speak with, see, and touch my parents. I have the right to support as I face my parents’ incarceration. I have the right not to be judged, blamed, or labeled because of my parents’ incarceration. I have the right to a lifelong relationship with my parents” (Children, 2012). This is what has lead us to choose the subject of children with incarcerated parents, not only because it is a problem that is growing and growing, but something needs to be done to help secure the children, and help create a solution that could benefit the children, especially at the very early ages of …show more content…
Several studies show the positive results of maintaining contact between the incarcerated parents, their children and the children’s caregiver (Poehlmann et al 2010). A child that is able to visit their parent and communicate can help in many areas of emotional support for the child. Visiting and having communication with their parent can help ease the feeling of loss due to the separation, it can also help minimize fears associated with prison, and can help address issues and questions the child has which can eliminate some