INDIANAPOLIS -- One-in-10 Hoosier children have a parent who has served time behind bars. That’s higher than the national average – and real issue facing Indiana communities.
According to the Indiana Youth Institute, children whose fathers have been incarcerated are significantly more likely to display aggressive behavior than their peers.
That’s hard for the parents who are behind bars themselves to know. Parents like Tyrone White, who previously spent about 10 years in prison.
“It’s extremely difficult,” White said. “When I say extremely difficult… you would lay on your bed at count time just thinking about your family members and everybody that you love who is continuing on with their lives while your life is on pause.”
While White was behind bars, he knew his family and the mothers of his children struggled without him.
According to Trelles Evans, with Goodwill Re-Entry and Disability Services, people often forget about the children left behind when parents go to jail.
“Sometimes children start to act out, they suffer in school and then their behavior becomes worse and worse,” Evans said.
Goodwill’s New Beginnings program is focused on rebuilding the family dynamic once incarcerated parents get out.
White just graduated from the program. His mother was there to watch him do it.
“I’m so proud, words can’t even describe,” she said. “He’s been through a lot. We’ve been through a lot.”
For more information about the program, visit Goodwill New Beginnings.
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