Children of incarcerated parents face social, emotional and academic difficulties at a far higher rate than their peers. These kids are at increased risk for negative behavior and potential future criminal activity. One group, Amachi Pittsburgh, is working to stop the cycle of incarceration and provide opportunity for children.
Amachi Ambassadors Coordinator Kayla Bowyer shares her experience of going through the program and working with kids today. We’ll also talk with Executive Director Anna Hollis about the impact Amachi has had in Pittsburgh and what she’d like to see in the future.
More than five million American children have seen a parent taken away to prison, according to a new study by the Maryland-based research group, Child Trends. Of that, minority children are disproportionately affected, with figures twice as high for parental incarceration compared to non-minority families. David Murphey is the co-author of the study “Parents Behind Bars,” and give us the numbers he’s found on affected families across the country.
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