“My mother was arrested last night-what do I say in school?”

“I am not allowed to talk about where my father is and I do
not know why.”

“Is it my fault that Dad is not here?”

“I have a test today but all I can think about is my brother
in prison”

Sound familiar?  On any given day there are thousands of children in New York State who feel alone and misunderstood.  When a child has a loved one in prison, it adds to his/her life a special set of circumstances and feelings that can be complicated to negotiate. 

In my presentation, I will address what to say to prisoners’ children, what to do, how to assist with these feelings and situations--and---

• Basic prison information
  
  
• Visiting in prison—what is it like for children and families
  
  
• How do children deal with the loss of a parent/loved one to the prison system—various responses      
  
  
• Addressing acting out/acting in
  
  
• Encouraging success
  
  
• Strategies to support the parent/child relationship
  
  
• Working with the caregivers
  
  
• The impact of separation on the child's self-esteem, personal and cultural identity.
  
  
• How to start a support group/ mentoring program for children
  
  
• Resource programs for adult prison family members

We prisoners’ children have some tough things to handle.  We can do better with the help and support of our parents and other loved ones, educators, doctors, clergy and communities.  I can help you get the information you need to work better with prisoners’ children. 

Cecily J. Coleman
Prison Families of New York, Inc.
40 North Main Avenue
Albany, NY 12203
518-453-6659
Email