When one or both parents are incarcerated the family is also incarcerated and are adversely affected in profound ways that exacerbate existing structural inequalities and struggles. Programs for inmates and families like FamilyWorks and the Storybook Program, encourage rebuilding and maintaining relationships despite being separated by prison.
The Osborne’s FamilyWorks program, the first comprehensive parenting program in a men’s state prison founded in 1986. FamilyWorks operates as a counterbalance to the numerous challenges in keeping a family together, such as the high cost of collect calls to inmates, long distances to prisons.
The Storybook program in at the State Prison for Men in Concord, New Hampshire is a little different than at other prisons across the country. This is run by the Department of Corrections (DOC) instead of a nonprofit or grassroots organization that can function as a link between the men inside and their communities outside. This non-narrated piece shares some of the experiences and changes that these fathers experience, but also some of the stories and messages they read to their children.
Featuring:
Gia Corrigan
Marni Corrigan
Kim Corrigan
Frankie Corrigan
James (Jim) Corrigan – FamilyWorks Graduate
Jean Louis – FamilyWorks Graduate
Emani Davis – co-creator, instructor of FamilyWorks Curriculum
Elizabeth Gaynes – President and CEO of The Osborne Association, founder and instructor of FamilyWorks program
Dr. Karl Mazza – co-founder/creator/instructor of FamilyWorks Curriculum, DSW, LMSW, Professor of Social Work at Lehman College of the City University of New York
Giovanni Monroe
Kristina Toth – New Hampshire Department of Corrections Administrator, and founder of Family Connection Center
David Johansen
Holly Johansen
Tony Hebert
Credits:
Producer: Sylvia Ryerson, Lisa Bartfai, R.J. Lozada
Producers: Anita Johnson, Marie Choi, Monica Lopez, R.J. Lozada
Executive Director: Lisa Rudman
Audience Engagement Director: Sabine Blaizin
Development Associate: Vera Tykulsker
Special Thanks:
Laura Roan
Jonathan Stenger
Elizabeth Gaynes
Brenda Maietta
Gabriella Kenner
Steuben Vega
For More Information:
FamilyWorks, Osborne Association
Parents in Prison, Sentencing Project
Parents and Their Children, Trends 1991 – 2007
Image Credits:
Photo by Osborne Association
lower quality photos credit Marni Corrigan