Sample inservice presentation on the topic of how libraries are serving children of incarcerated parents.

1. LIBRARY SERVICES AND OUTREACH FOR CHILDREN OF
INCARCERATED PARENTS
BY ANGELA BAIR

2. IN-SERVICE ACTIVITY: SHARE YOUR STORY ACTIVITY
Image From: http://enriquesantos.com/the-night-dad-went-to-jail-shocking-childrens-book-explains-
what-happens-when-a-family-member-gets-arrested/
Image From: https://www.getonthebus.us/pdf/talking-to-children.pdf

3. LITTLE CHILDREN BIG CHALLENGES: INCARCERATION
Video From: https://youtu.be/UbD-0xkIYuA

4. DID YOU KNOW?
 The United States has the world’s largest prison population.1
 It holds 5% of the world’s population but 25% of all the prisoners in the world.
 More than 2 million Americans are imprisoned in federal, state, and local jails.2
 About 1/2 of U.S. prisoners are parents of children under 18, nearly 3 million children.2
 More than 1/3 of children were expected to reach the age of 18 while their parents were still
incarcerated.3
 Between 1991 and 2007, the number of children with mothers in prison more than doubled, up
131% while the number of fathers in prison grew by 77%. 1
 1.7 million children have a parent in prison.4
 African-American children are 8 times and Latino children are 3 times more likely than white
children to have a parent in prison.5

5. PARENT INCARNATION EFFECTS ON CHILDREN
Parent incarceration creates challenging situations for children and families result in:
 Financial instability and material hardship from the loss of a parents income. 6
 Lack of access to basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter, medical care, and support networks. 7
 Residential mobility 6
 School behavioral issues and poor academic outcomes. 6
 Shame and bullying from peers or classmates due to social stigmas. 9
 Strong emotional and mental trauma with developmental impacts from losing a parent or witnessing their
arrest. 7
 Strained relationships with incarcerated parent, caregivers, family, and friends. 8
 Loss of parental caregiver due to long term care in the foster care system beyond the time by law. 6
Image From: https://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/gokids/gokids_articles_children_impacted.htm

6. WHY SERVE THIS VULNERABLE POPULATION?
 Poverty 10
 Low socioeconomic status10
 Lack of educational attainment12
 Low literacy skills11
 Scarcity of support10
 Limited access to resources10
 Live in high crime environments and household full of strain. 10
 Generations of children end up with family members in prison. 10
 Increasing rates of children who have an incarcerated parent(s) or family member.10
Image from: http://www.ctcip.org/incarcerated-parent/ways-to-support-children/

7. HOW LIBRARIES CAN HELP?
 Offer programs and services. 13
 Develop a collection of resources and print materials for children of incarcerated parents. 13
 Recommend appropriate books and resources. 13
 Provide conscientious activities and programs. 13
 Offer programs that will attract children and families of the incarcerated. 13
 Creating a display geared toward families dealing with an incarcerated parent. 13
 Create a open discussion program on issues within the criminal justice system. 13
 Work with organizations to create programming to serve within prisons. 13
 Attempt to connect caregivers, family, and the children of the incarcerated parent. 13
Image from: www. contracostatimes.com/breaking-news/ci_27691434/alameda-
county-librarian-connects-incarcerated-youths-lesser-known

8. POSITIVES OF DEVELOPING A COLLECTION FOR CHILDREN OF
INCARCERATED PARENTS
 Increased literacy skills of both the incarcerated parent and their child. 14
 Improved parenting skills. 14
 Strengthened the relationship of the caregiver, incarcerated parent, and the child. 14
 Developed interest and enthusiasm in reading. 14
 Improved behavior and idleness of the incarcerated parent. 14
 Eased family unification upon the incarcerated parent’s release. 14
 Created a safe environment supportive of the reading and education for the incarcerated parent and their
child. 14
 Answers questions about jails and prison life for children of incarcerated parents. 15
 Helps the incarcerated parent and child with educational attainment. 16
 Has a developmental impact on children of incarcerated parents. 16
Image From: http://chronicle.umbmentoring.org/an-attachment-perspective-on-incarcerated-parents-and-their-
children/

9. POSITIVES OF DEVELOPING A COLLECTION FOR CHILDREN WITH
INCARCERATED PARENTS
 Helps children of incarcerated parents understand their feelings about losing a parent by reading books that
relate to their emotional trauma (Helps children relate to book characters). 17
 Helps libraries collaborate with other organizations for outreach and programming to support children with
incarcerated parents. 18
 Encourages children to communicate with their incarcerated parent(s). 18
 Keeps incarcerated parents in touch with their children. 18
 Brings broken families together. 18
 Children need books on incarceration for examining and discussing issues within the criminal justice
system. 17
 A teaching tool for children who have not experienced a parent or family member go to jail can learn about
the experience children of incarcerated parents face. 17

10. BARRIERS OF DEVELOPING A COLLECTION POSITIVES OF DEVELOPING A
COLLECTION FOR CHILDREN OF INCARCERATED PARENTS
 Finding age appropriate materials that introduce topics that are developmentally appropriate. 18
 Materials can be difficult to locate and purchase. 18
 Finding multicultural materials that depict the life of an incarcerated parent with accuracy. 17
 Finding materials that will not bring emotional trauma or harm to the young reader. 18
 Budgeting barriers for purchasing materials. 18
 Finding materials that are the appropriate reading level of the young reader. 18
 Is the item appropriate to display in reading areas. 18
 Restrictions on content and titles of the reading materials. 18
 Work with caregivers or parents on choosing proper materials. 18
 Censorship Challenges. 18
Image from
https://scherrermadness.wordpress.com/cat
egory/social-issues/

11. COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES
Resources for building a print and digital resource collection for children of incarcerated parents:
 Journals
 Clopton, K. L., & East, K. K. (2008). A List of Books About a Parent in Prison. Early Childhood Education
Journal, 36(2), 199-200.
 Schlafer, Rebecca J.; Scrignoli, Alyssa. Tough Topic, Necessary Reading: Finding Books for Children with
Incarcerated Parents. Children & Libraries. 2015; 13 (1):24-28.
 Digital Resources
 All is Well. (2015). Resources for Children with An Incarcerated Parent:
http://www.shellyduffer.com/resources-for-children-of-inmates/.
 ALSC. (2015). Library Services to Special Population Children and Their Caregivers: A Toolkit for
Librarians and Library Worker: http://www.ala.org/alsc/sites/ala.org.alsc/files/content/professional-
tools/lsspcc-toolkit-2015.pdf.
 Ann B. Casey. (2008) Children With Incarcerated Parents: A List of Select Resources:
http://www.aecf.org/m/resourcedoc/aecf-childrenwithincarceratedparentsresourcelist-2008.pdf.
Image from
http://omazingkidsllc.com
/tag/books-to-use-in-

12. COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES
 Cuyahoga County Family & Children First Council. (2015). Children of Incarcerated Parents Forum Resources:
http://fcfc.cuyahogacounty.us/en-US/news_cip_resources.aspx.
 Martin & Holahan. (2015). Reading with dad: serving incarcerated parents and their families through collection
development and literacy training.
 New Hampshire Department of Corrections. (2015). List of Books for Children of Incarcerated Parents:
http://www.nh.gov/nhdoc/fcc/books.html.
 Parents Inside Out (2015). Resources for Kids. http://www.parentinginsideout.org/resources/.
 Rutgers (2015). Children of Incarcerated Parents Library:
https://nrccfi.camden.rutgers.edu/resources/library/children-of-prisoners-library/
 S & F Online. (2015). Children of Incarcerated Parents: Recommended Reading:
http://sfonline.barnard.edu/children/reading.htm.
Image from
http://www.kidsbabydesign.com/category/childre
ns-books/

13. STARTING OUTREACH & SERVICE PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN OF
INCARCERATED PARENTS
Steps for starting an outreach programs to children of incarcerated parents:
 Contact someone in the jail administration. 19
 Remember the setting. 19
 Find volunteers or staff and train them. 19
 Think about a budget. 20
 Stick to the rules. 19
 Plan out your program 13
 Plan for challenges and barriers 13
 Implement the outreach program 19
 See the results. 19
Image from: http://www.ifound.org/community/other-community-initiatives/

14. EXAMPLES OF LIBRARY OUTREACH & SERVICES TO CHILDREN OF
INCARCERATED PARENTS
 “Read with Dad” Grafton-Midview Public Library
http://www.slideshare.net/nicoleleemartin2/reading-with-dad-vhc-2015?qid=bf81723c-0a2e-452a-9200-
a06f6775489e&v=qf1&b=&from_search=1.
 “Daddy and Me” New York Public Library
http://www.nypl.org/help/community-outreach/correctional-services
 “Storybook Dads” Toronto Public Library
http://www.macaulaycentre.org/images/MacToday/MacTodayMay2013.pdf
 “Start With A Story” Alameda County Public Library
https://startwithastory.wordpress.com/
 “Read to Me” Indiana State Library
http://www.in.gov/library/RTM.htm
Image From:
https://michelleeastmanbooks.wordpress.com/2015/04/1
6/attention-generous-childrens-authors-thank-you/

15. EXAMPLES OF LIBRARY OUTREACH & SERVICES TO CHILDREN OF
INCARCERATED PARENTS
 “FATHERS Program” Marin County Free Library & San Rafael Public Library
http://libraryliteracy.org/webcasts/11-16-08/curtis_corrections.pdf
 “Read to Me” Hennepin County Library
http://www.hclib.org/about/outreach
 “Books without Barriers” Multnomah County Public Library
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/29923491/Multnomah-County-Library---DOC
 “Read Aloud Program” Suffolk County House of Correction & the Boston Public Library
http://communitysuccess.org/sites/default/files/u9/SCSD_EDUCATION_AND_REENTRY_PROGRA
MS%202010.pdf
 “Read to Your Children” Colorado Public Library
http://www.cde.state.co.us/sites/default/files/documents/cdelib/prisonlibraries/download/pdf/brochu
re_read_to_the_children.pdf
Image From: http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=32955380

16. “READ WITH DAD” PROGRAM GRAFTON-MIDVIEW PUBLIC
LIBRARY

17. COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT AND OUTREACH QUESTIONNAIRE
Image from
www.americanlibrariesmagazine.org

18. REFERENCES
1Murray, D., Farrington, D., & Sekol, I. (2012). Far Children’s Antisocial Behavioral, Mental Health, Drug Use, and Educational
Performance After Parental Incarceration: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Psychological Bulletin. 138 (2): 175-210.
2Bhattacharjee, A. (2002). Private Fists and Public Force, Race, Gender, and Surveillance.
In Sillman, J. & Bhattacharjee, A. (Eds.), Policing the National Body: Race, Gender, and Criminalization. Massachusetts: South End
Press. 2002.
3Glaze, L. E., & Maruschak, L. M. (2008). Parents in prison and their minor children. (NCJ 222984). Washington, DC: U.S Department
of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics. Retrieved from
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/pub/pdf/pptmc.pdf.
4 Osborne, R. (2004). From outreach to equity: Innovative models of library policy and practice. American Library Association.
5 Eddy, M. (2010). Children of incarcerated parents. Washington D.C.: Urban Institute Press.
6The Annie E. Casey Foundation. Children of Incarcerated Parents Fact Sheet. Retrieved from
http://www.aecf.org/resources/children-of-incarcerated-parents-fact-sheet/
7New Jersey Department of Corrections Divisions of Programs and Community Services Office of Transitional Services.
(2007). “What About Me: When a Parent Goes to Prison.” New Jersey Department of Corrections. Retrieved from:
http://www.state.nj.us/corrections/pdf/OTS/090311_What_About_Me.pdf.

19. REFERENCES
8La Vigne, N., Davies, & Brazzell, Diana. (2008) Broken Bonds: Understanding and Addressing the Needs of Children
with Incarcerated Parents. Urban Institute Justice Policy Center Research Report.
9Rosen, Eric. (2011). Supporting Students with Incarcerated Parents. Principal Leadership.
10Marushak, Glaze, & Mumola. (2010).Incarcerated Parents & Their Children: Findings From the Bureau of Justice
Statistics. pp. 33-51. In Children of Incarcerated Parents: A Handbook for Researchers and Practitioners. Washington D.C.: Urban
Institute Press.
11Piazza, S. & Duncan, L. (2012). After-School Literacy Engagements With Struggling Readers. Reading & Writing
Quarterly: Overcoming Learning Difficulties 28, (3). 229-254.
12Harlow, C.W. Education and Correctional Populations. NCJ 195670. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of
Justice Statistics, 2003. http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/ecp.pdf.

20. REFERENCES
13 Sullivan, M. Welcoming Children and Families Affected by Incarceration. Public Libraries. 2013; 52 (4): 41-43.
14Walden, D. Breaking the Cycle: Prison Reading Program Encourages Literacy. Colorado Libraries. 2004; 30 (4): 21-22.
15Schlafer, R. & J.. Scrignoli, Alyssa. Tough Topic, Necessary Reading: Finding Books for Children with Incarcerated Parents. Children &
Libraries. 2015; 13 (1):24-28.
16Schneider, J. (1996). Prison libraries change lives. American Libraries, 2746-48.
17Oslick, M. E. (2013). Children's Voices: Reactions to a Criminal Justice Issue Picture Book. The Reading Teacher, 66(7), 543-552.
18 Gardner, S. (2015). Reading Unites Families: An Interactive Literacy Program for Incarcerated Fathers and Their Children. Corrections
Today, 77(2), 38-42.
19 Cottrell, M. (2014). Reading on the Inside. American Libraries, 45(11/12), 46-49.
20Higgins, N. (2013). Family Literacy on the Inside. Public Libraries, 52(1), 30-35.

21. ANY QUESTIONS?
Email: Angela Bair @: abair5@kent.edu