|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
|
State
Rep. Cherelle Parker |
|
Commission to study effects of parental incarceration on children
HARRISBURG, June 3 – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives today unanimously adopted a resolution introduced by Rep. Cherelle Parker that would create a study of the effects of parental incarceration on children.
Parker said that more than 2 million children in the United States have a parent who is currently incarcerated, and that number rises to 10 million when adding those children who have or had a parent under correctional supervision at some point in the child's life.
"Children whose parents are incarcerated have unique needs," Parker said. "The issue of incarceration is cyclical and generational, so if we can determine what is needed early on, we can invest in these children now to break the cycle and avoid having to invest in corrections later."
The resolution (H.R. 203) directs the Joint State Government Commission to establish an advisory committee to study the effects on children, the services available to them and the barriers to accessing those services, and recommend a system for assessing the needs of those children.
The advisory committee will consist of about 30 members and represent all aspects of the criminal justice and social welfare systems, including academia, the faith community, child advocates and public and private organizations involved with criminal justice and social welfare issues.
The committee will submit its findings and recommendations to the House of Representatives no later than June 3, 2011.
###