The Candle
By Jessie Mabrey
What happens to the children when their parents are incarcerated?
Children of incarcerated parents may look fine from the outside, but they are often dealing with trauma and anxiety from their parents’ confinement. Through The Candle, Jessie shows us the overlooked impact of incarceration on children and their village.
Jessie has over 15 years experience supporting women impacted by homelessness, addiction, domestic violence, and mental health challenges. She is a member of National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI), Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network (GMHCN), National Incarceration Association (NIA), and Family Unification Network. Jessie is also a Certified Peer Specialist, Certified Forensic Peer Mentor and Certified Stephen Minister.
About the Issue
Children with incarcerated parents often face significant mental health challenges, disrupted family lives, and social stigma, which can impact their behavior and educational outcomes.
The loss of a parent’s income and potential termination of parental rights due to foster care or child support issues can compound these difficulties. Additionally, these children may have experienced trauma related to their parent’s arrest or other adverse childhood experiences, such as exposure to violence or substance abuse.
We need more support systems for children of incarcerated parents.
10,000,000
More than 10 million children have experienced parental incarceration at some point in their childhoods.
via youth.gov
3
Children of incarcerated parents are 3 times more likely to become justice-involved than children of parents who haven’t been incarcerated.
Take Action
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Buy Jaylayne
Jessie’s children’s book follows a young family fighting for love while both parents are incarcerated
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Support Guide for Teachers
Download the tip sheet that helps teachers support children of incarcerated parents
