Parental incarceration can feel like such a heavy topic, knowing the impact it can have on a child, the struggles for parents at home to manage alone, and the stigma that often comes with having a loved one incarcerated. However, the recent convening in Frankfort – Keeping Families Connected: Jail Visits and Communication Action Planning – was a space of hope and connection around a shared vision for doing better in our state.

On May 20th, people gathered from many parts of the state for a convening of community members focused on developing plans for improving how families can maintain connection and support children through the ordeal of having a parent locked up. The gathering was held by our partner organization Louisville Family Justice Advocates (LFJA) and hosted by Yes Arts in Frankfort.  

The event focused on resource sharing among agencies that offer supports to children and families and planning time for developing a strategy for engaging the community in the work to better support families with an incarcerated loved one. Agencies shared information about the resources and supports they have put in place to support families, including Aetna with their value added benefit that helps with transportation costs for visits. Save the Children and Beacons of Hope shared their collaboration in Perry County to support incarcerated parents and visiting with the Wonderland of Hope, and Wanda Joyce Robinson Foundation shared the programs they have developed in Frankfort to support children. LFJA and Yes Arts showcased how art can be an instrument for healing. The planning utilized the publication from the LFJA, Keeping Families Connected: A Guide to Jail Visiting in Kentucky. The document provides the tangible steps that community members can take to better understand current jail visiting policies, engage local leaders, and promote changes to improve how visits work for children and families. 

Members of the REFORM Louisville team who experienced the incarceration of a parent when they were growing up participated in the event. They shared insight and perspective on what it can feel like to have a loved one locked up. They also came away from the day with reflections on how the convening impacted them.

Lee Johnson shared, “During the event I realized no one really knew what was going on in the jails. It made me want to get more involved because people get lost in their power and not the people.”

For Jacobe Daugherty, it was about the presence to bring to the world. He said, “You never know what one’s going through; always remember – Speak light💡, Receive light💡, Be a light💡.”

Will you be a light for children in your community? Check out the guide and start the conversation.

For additional resources to support children with an incarcerated parent, check out the following: