Disproportionately holding minorities, Arizona leads the nation with the highest incarceration rate in the United States. There are 2.2 million people that are in prison currently here in the US. There are 3 million children of incarcerated parents, with 12 million who have been directly affected by parental incarceration in their lifetime. Statistics show that children of incarcerated parents are five times more likely to find themselves behind bars. The ugly truth, is that unfortunately, one- third of our prison population has had at least one incarcerated parent when a child, with over half of the juveniles in corrections having a family member who was incarcerated in their youth life. Proving that there is a strong correlation that if the parents are arrested, the child is highly at risk to follow the implemented pattern Extended from this, transitioning from the interruptions of their home life and handling the social stigmas and school relations, these children are eleven percent more likely to commit suicide than other at risk groups These incredibly young children are five to seven times more likely to follow the same pattern as their parents due to the emotional strain. This age is so vital, with many children having very little recollection of their parents, a large amount of attention needs to be displaced and opportunities to expand need to be presented. There are no services aligned to specifically serve and target children of incarcerated parents. The State funding for prisons are exceeds that of which we delegate for education. With more of an emphasis to house prisoners, are priorities are in the wrong place. Education is the corner stone for children to realize their potential and to arise and create something of themselves.

In Arizona, there are approximately 95,669 children with parents in prison or jail, with an additional 80,393 children with parents on probation. Totaling 176,067 children who either do not have a mother, or a father and or are living with one, or relatives, this number is daunting when we consider the consequences behind it. If we as college students could do anything to brake this trajectory, why wouldn’t we do something?

Now that it is understood why I would like to do something about the issue behind incarceration and the implications on children, what can college aged students do to aide in the efforts to stop this trajectory? Developing and adopting a community approach to aide in prevention and intervention in the lives of these children is essential. By adopting a program, specifically focused to high-risk areas could reach out to these children by enacting a mentoring program. Aligning with STARS mentoring program, to set up a day in which college students, (primarily focusing the Greek and other local clubs at Arizona State University) To meet and mentor these children for a day while building confidence and creating a role model to look up to. With a high majority of children of incarcerated parents relatively very young and at a pivotal development time in their life, what would the effect be if we offered programs in which showed these children the positive impact of following their dreams. Per instance, to offer a child whom is deviant and disorderly, the opportunity to meet with a successful student of their desired profession, to not only tell, but show them how to achieve their ultimate goal. Not only could a program of this aim as serving this child with a positive role model, but aiding in the realization that nothing is out of reach and by turning around their divent behaviors, would lead them the opportunity for achievement.

This community service outreach event has already been proposed and approved by the Undergraduate Student Government and are looking to enact it if funding is possible. Once approved and a date set, the Undergraduate Student Government in collaboration with Panhellenic and the IFC ( fraternity council) will market the widespread volunteer opportunity to get the most students we can to mentor these children