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The Garrison & Friends Project is
fiscally sponsored by
Texas Prisons Community Advocates
Problems and What We Can Do
What are the problems that the Garrison & Friends Project is concerned about? Why was this project developed? The team at the Garrison & Friends Project are all connected to incarceration in one form or another. As parents and concerned adults, we are alarmed at the statistic that children of incarcerated people are 6 times more likely to become incarcerated. We would like to do something to change that statistic.
Children also suffer from unearned guilt, shame, and anger. This is a burden they should not have to carry, and it is incumbent upon adults to minimize the stigma and shame of incarceration by having age-appropriate conversations with impacted children and by being willing to speak more freely in the public space about incarceration so that children feel more comfortable expressing themselves naturally without bearing the unspoken shame adults place on them. This vulnerable group should not have to grow up feeling silenced, shoving down their feelings, or remaining unsupported. The Garrison & Friends Project sees them, and want's to help you see them too.
How do we change a child's face from....
This
to
That
The Garrison and Friends Project recognizes the resiliency of children. We believe the first step to helping children regain their natural joy is to make sure they understand they are not alone. We begin with children's stories. These are not made-up stories. They are the lived experiences of real people. 42% of all Americans have someone directly connected to them who has been to jail or prison. This statistic means that there are a lot of children in the United States who are impacted. Unfortunately, there are few properly informed about the realities of our criminal justice system and its ultimate outcome, incarceration. This lack of education has left a void that affects children of the incarcerated in ways that no child should have to bear. The stigma and shame of incarceration must be mitigated for the sake of our children. If we become more open to public conversation about incarceration, we have the opportunity to teach those not directly impacted about the issues, the system, and how they can support children who are impacted.
What traumas do children face due to incarceration?
Incarceration and everything leading up to it are traumatizing for children and adults. It starts with an arrest. Let's think about that from a child's point of view. Children don't consider or evaluate logically the events leading to an arrest. From their point of view, people (police) have entered their safe space and "hurt" Mommy and/or Daddy. Even if a child's parents have committed a crime, and even if the police do everything correctly, a child's perspective is likely to be that the authorities have caused harm. Authority figures are no longer considered safe in a child's eyes. This can lead a child to question the safeness of all adult authority figures.
Soon after an arrest, the tension in the house rises as adults prepare for a legal case. Often adults don't address the situation with their children because, honestly, what can you tell them when YOU don't know what's going to happen? Children are perceptive, though, and the will pick up on the tension, which will cause emotional stress, leading to academic problems and potential health issues.
When a parent is incarcerated and is suddenly gone from the family space, several other problems arise. The parent remaining now must carry the pressure of what used to be shared responsibilities. One of the most tangible is financial provision. According to the Cato Insitute, A study by scholars at Villanova University concluded that mass incarceration has increased the U.S. poverty rate by an estimated 20 percent. Another study found that a family's probability of being poor is 40 percent greater if the father is incarcerated." In Alex's Courage (coming soon), Alex blames himself for his mother's incarceration. He is acutely aware that Mom is struggling to make ends meet, and he feels guilty for needing things. Due to financial difficulties, the remaining parent must work multiple jobs. A side effect caused by multiple jobs is that children must be cared for by other caregivers, and in essence, children "lose" both parents and the stability they once had. As adults struggle to provide, children experience food insecurity and houseing instability. For those children who face the incarceration of both parents or who are from single parent homes, the foster system becomes a reality. Imagine being a child, and losing everything that is familiar to you?!? MASS INCARCERATION WITH HEAVY SENTENCING IS BREAKING AMERICA ONE CHILD AT A TIME! It's time to consider other options for the sake of our children and our future.
How do we change this course?
What are our solutions?
Donate to help us get the Garrison and Friends books into the hands of impacted children and their caregivers.
It's time to become a student. There are many studies, articles, white papers, and advocacy organizations that you can learn from. Dig in deep, even when it's uncomfortable, and learn everything you can about the danger and harm that mass incarceration is causing Americans. To get started click the button to the left to be redirected to our What's the Problem Resources page.
After you have studied, share what you have learned with others. Incarceration affects all of society, not just those who are directly impacted. If you would like to learn more, check out Texas Prisons Community Advocates #I'mAffected Campaign. This growing national campaign has information about the effect of mass incarceration on society. Its effect on our children is just a piece of the overall harm being done.
Ask us to speak at your church gatherings, political rallies, continuing education classes, and anywhere else you may have people you feel could benefit from this conversation, especially those who work with children. (We are working on a menu of available topics for speaking engagements. If you are interested in booking a speaking engagement please use our
Contact Us form.
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