Building Bridges V: Children of incarcerated parents

Session One: Torp Theatre, Davidson Hall, CCSU

The purpose of the morning session was to increase attendees’ awareness of the impact that incarceration has on our children and families on a local, state and national level. National and state data, combined with personal accounts, was presented in an effort to succinctly portray the issue. There were opportunities for audience participation.

Audio: A Child's Perspective: Voices of Youth Impacted by Parental Incarceration

Voices of youth impacted by parental incarceration. Interviews were performed by Megan Stanton of Families in Crisis. Footage was edited by Jeffrey B. Teitler. This piece was produced by Aileen Keays and the IMRP - Andrew Clark, Director.

Youth Panel

Young adults shared their experience with having a parent in prison. A question and answer session followed afterward.

Keynote Speech - Improving Responses to Children of the Incarcerated: Theory, Policy and Practice

Delivered by Ann Adalist-Estrin, Director of the National Resource Center on Children and Families of the Incarcerated at the Family and Corrections Network (FCN). To read Ms. Adalist-Estrin's biography, click here. To view the PowerPoint presentation from her keynote address, click here.

Session Two: Alumni Hall in the Student Center, CCSU

The purpose of the afternoon session was to determine how to use the knowledge gained from the morning session to inform intervention on a local and statewide level within Connecticut. Initially, participants were grouped by region and asked to identify current and potential policy actions aimed at positively impacting children with an incarcerated parent. The session ended with a town hall style discussion led by a panel of policymakers, agency representatives and community based experts.

Break-out Sessions:

Geographically-based panel discussions on "systems."

Attendees Reconvene for Discussion on Groups' Recommendations

Break-out session groups reported back from their respective geographically-based discussions.

Town Hall-style Panel Discussion

Panelists:

Representative Toni Walker, Connecticut General Assembly

Senator Toni Harp, Connecticut General Assembly

Pat Hynes, Connecticut Department of Corrections

Susan Quinlan, Families in Crisis

Ann Adalist-Estrin, National Resource Center on Children and Families of the Incarcerated.

Tim Black, University of Hartford