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In the United States, the incarceration of a parent creates ripples that extend far beyond prison walls, touching the lives of families in profound ways. The Claremont Forum’s Prison Library Project (PLP) recognizes the significant impact incarceration has on families and is dedicated to mitigating this through education and support. This spring, we are focusing on supporting incarcerated parents by providing them with resources to navigate the unique challenges faced by both them and their children.
Understanding the Challenges
Nearly half of all individuals in prison are parents to minors, affecting approximately 1.25 million children, with a significant number being under the age of five. These children face the trauma of separation, coupled with feelings of fear, anxiety, and uncertainty about their future. An estimated 58,000 pregnant women enter jails and prisons each year, facing their own unique challenges and making the need for support more important than ever.
The absence of a parent due to incarceration can lead to severe emotional and behavioral consequences for a child, including emotional withdrawal, academic failure, and even delinquency. This cycle poses the risk of perpetuating intergenerational incarceration, a cycle we at the PLP are determined to break by helping incarcerated parents find tools and resources they need.
How the PLP is Helping
This spring, the PLP is launching a book drive to collect pregnancy and parenting books. These resources are crucial for helping incarcerated parents connect with their children, understand their developmental needs, and prepare for a future together after release. We are partnering with three prison libraries to ensure that these materials reach those who need them most, including a significant population of incarcerated pregnant women.
How You Can Help - Support the Parenting Book Drive
Donate Your Books: If you have gently used paperback pregnancy or parenting books, please consider donating them to the PLP. Books can be dropped off at our bookstore in the Packing House from Thursday to Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm, or left in the collection box at school. Please mark all donations with “PLP Parenting Book Drive.”
Purchase from Our Wishlist: Visit our wishlist on Bookshop.org at PLP Parenting Drive or on Amazon to purchase books directly for the program. We are in particular need of books in Spanish to serve a diverse population of incarcerated parents.
Help Us Cover Postage Costs: Your support can extend beyond book donations. We also need your help to cover the costs of shipping these resources to our participating prisons.
The Impact of Your Support
Your contribution, whether through book donations or purchases, can help us provide the resources incarcerated parents need to foster a positive relationship with their children. Education is a powerful tool in breaking the cycle of incarceration, reducing recidivism, and supporting the emotional well-being of both parents and children.
Join Us in Making a Difference
The challenges faced by incarcerated parents and their children are immense, but together, we can make a difference. By supporting the PLP’s parenting book drive, you are helping to keep families connected through the power of education and empathy. Let’s come together to support those who are often forgotten, helping them build a brighter future for themselves and their children.