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 Preshow Return to index of stories... |
Next on New Hampshire Outlook. |
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Hello. I'm Allison McNair. Welcome to NH Outlook. |
| Intro Prison Parents Return to index of stories... |
It is estimated that there are more than one and a half million children in the United States whose parents are in prison. It's not known how many there are in New Hampshire. But the State Department of Corrections is trying to understand the extent of the problem. Most US families and prisoners receive little or no attention from social workers or other professionals. But that is not the case at the New Hampshire Department of Correction's Lakes Region Facility. Theresa Kennett takes a look at one innovative program making a difference. |
| Prison Parents Return to index of stories... |
Inmate Douglas Tucker at 5:09 One of the most difficult things about being a father and being in prison is that we're powerless over a lot of things. Douglas Tucker is the father of three children ages 6, 3 and 18 months. He has been incarcerated at the NH Department of Corrections Lakes Region Facility in Laconia for over a year. Douglas at 3:05 My daughter was two at the time and she didn't really understand, didn't make a lot of sense to her and now that she is getting older she is beginning to understand, a lot of difficult questions and a lot of heart wrenching stuff but uh that is one of the things we address down here. Tucker is talking about the Family Resource Center located within the Lakes Region Facility. The center offers inmates a library of parenting information, support groups, and special rooms that are designed for family friendly visits. Kristina Toth at 1:18:03 We have guys that do not ever get visits here but just attend support groups as a way of getting support for how do you be an incarcerated parent. Kristina Toth has worked for the Department of Corrections for 6 years. Four years ago she partnered with the University of New Hampshire's Family Studies Department and the UNH Cooperative Extension Service to create the Family Resource Program at the Lakes Region Facility, a medium facility for non-violent offenders. Kristina at 1:16:52 When you enter this facility, you are going to enter the First Step program. It's a 60 day modified boot camp program. There you will have positive mental attitude classes, anger management classes and drug and alcohol education classes, victim impact, etc. We also at that point provide mandatory parenting education. First Step Class discussion at 38:44 - My father was from the old school you know, I'm 41 years old. I spent a week handcuffed to my bed, I was grounded in my yard for summers on end. I had my first black eye and broken nose when I was 13 years old. It was hard. I used to worship the ground he walked on all through that until I was 17 or 18 years old then I hated him. Participation in Family Resource Programs is voluntary and becomes available to inmates after they have completed the First Step Program Kristina and TLK looking through two way 1:53:15 -:45 This is one of our observation rooms we're looking into one of the children's playrooms, we observe it through the two-way glass but we also observe it through the camera here. We do not tape record, here we sit and watch the parent and child interact. We do take notes we do an assessment and we use that information to work with the parent after the visit. Valerie at 2:01:28 The visits with Crystal are becoming a lot more relaxed. I can talk to her about problems. I was getting visits as well in the chow hall, but its not you know there was no bonding, no interaction. Valerie Noreau has been incarcerated and separated from her children for two years. 2:09:46 - 2:10:02 What was that like when you had to leave your children? The pain is still there, I feel it everyday. 1:59:08 - My son, he's been in a lot of trouble, he was arrested a few times for drinking. His father is also incarcerated and um he just wanted to go to jail to be with his father. Noreau says that her son is doing better and she now has much closer relationship with her daughter, thanks to the family resource center. 2:01:59 - 2:02:13 They taught me a lot of things down, a lot of good things. Things that I didn't realize when I was out there using. Just the simple things, just listening to your children and explaining things to your children. I never had time for that. Ed Welch 58:54 I didn't really get a lot of parenting when I was a kid…. Both of Ed Welch's parents were incarcerated when he was a child. He was in and out of foster care and the juvenile system as a youngster and now, at the age of 23, he is father to two daughters age 8 and 6. 1:00:39 -:54 As I have been working on myself I realize how much me doing the wrong thing is affecting my children. And I feel its really important that I change the cycle ion order for my children to have a great life and that's what I want. Christopher Kench, in charge of security 50:28 - A child with an incarcerated parent is six times more likely to come here themselves. Is that a statistic we want to keep out there or is that something we want to be proactive about… Christopher Kench is the officer in charge of security at the Lakes Region Facility. He is very supportive of the program. Chirstopher Kench, Security Officer at 49:50 Probably the neat thing about it is that them that really care, them that see the value stay out of trouble so that they can stay in the program. So it's a management tool for us in that aspect. Jump cut to49:10 I think that a lot of the parenting skills we learn as people we try to emulate from our parents. Well a lot of these folks parents aren't people you want to emulate. Inmate Kevin Clancy 2:35:19 -:28 …as much as you might not want to be your parents, 80% of the time, your 80% of your parents. . Kevin Clancy has been at the Lakes Region facility for three years and has been involved in the resource center for most of that time. 2:33:55 One of the best resources that I've found with the Family Resource Center is the reading, like I said. Clancy publishes reviews on parenting books each month in the Family Resource Newsletter. Clancy 2:34:15 -:38 Fortunately for me I was able to realize that a lot of the problems that I've had as an adult come from my upbringing. And its given me the opportunity to look at where I came from and the changes that I have to make in myself in order to not let my legacy be part of my child's. Jump cut to 2:32:07 Like I said, I imposed a sentence on him to not just myself…. Tucker at 6:49 And that's another sensitive issue that we discuss and learn how to deal with here is taking responsibility for the burdens that we've placed on our family and our children. Something the inmates learn to help each other with Support group Inmate @ 2:18:15 -:27 I just found out that this guy that my son's mother was seeing lost his temper in front of the kids and scared the kids. And I don't know what to do, and I right to say anything? Tucker at 2:19:34 -:47 You have to be really careful because If you do say something to her and she feels that your going someplace that she doesn't think you should, is she going to make things more difficult for you? Jump cut to 2:19:17 -Cover with 2:19:00 I think about that to, I think about what kind of people might she make available to my children and then I think about the kind of person I was. And can I really judge other people. Inmate at 2:20:11 -:21 She told me that he scared the kids, she volunteered that information, It kind of flipped me out a little bit cause I'm so defenseless I can't do nothing. Tucker at 2:21:55 - 2:22:20 Him only being six years old, he's almost more helpless than you are. I agree with you that he shouldn't have to be exposed to this and I don't know how you would do it or how you should do it, but the responsibility has to be on his mother. Stand up at 2:48:54 - 2:49:15 One of the goals of the family resource center is to keep history from repeating itself. It is not only devastating to the family, it is also costly for the state. It costs about $25,000 for each prisoner incarcerated in this facility and up to $20,000 a year for children in need of foster care. That is a hefty price tag compared to the $85,000 a year to run the Family Resource Program. However, the funding is provided through a grant that expires on June 30th, 2003. Kristina at 01:36:40 - 1:37:01 And unfortunately at that point, everything has to end.I'm the oinly state employee and we have the facility but after that everything else needs to be paid for so as of then, the program ends. And that, Toth says, will be difficult for the children Kristina at 1:49:35 We have one child that has been visiting for over three years. And he visits almost every week actually, so for him nd cases like that who come almost every week, all of sudden now, I can't go there and play with dad. That's who its going to affect the most, even more than the parents for the children who are already involved. Inmate Kevin Clancy 2:40:16 Part of the reason why I agreed to do this to day is that I hope that programs like this are recognized more Jump cut to 2:41:23 -:33 Its not just the parents doing time, the children do day for day and everybody forgets about the kids. From Laconia, I'm Theresa Kennett for NH Outlook. |
| Intro Discussion Return to index of stories... |
Joining me now to talk about the programs designed to help prisoners following their incarceration Commissioner Phil Stanley and Jeff Lyons public information officer for the New Hampshire Department of Corrections. |
| Intro Bridges Return to index of stories... |
Last spring, the New Hampshire Center for Public Policy issued a report on the state's high school drop out rate. The average, according to their statistics is twenty-five percent. At the time, we shared with you the reactions of the news from one community -- Somersworth. This past summer we returned to see what they're doing to help keep students in school. Producer Phil Vaughn reports. |
| Bridges To Success Return to index of stories... |
Shots of kids in field using tape measures Narr 1 - At the end of the last school year, when most students were getting ready for summer break this group of teenagers from Somersworth were designing model homes. Jamie 2-4:30 "What they do is end up building a model. They lay it out, design it and from beginning to end, they use math principles." Shot of kid pacing off with measuring tape. Narr 2 - These are the first steps of a new program offered to fourth grade, middle and high school students in Somersworth. It's called Bridges to Success and Superintendent Dr. Charles Ott is one of its architects. Ott 2-9:37 "By design, this is an experiential program. The students go out into the community where they learn skills in ways they can understand." Amy 4-24:35 "This summer, we took them to a house that was being built by their English teacher. They saw him building and using math everyday." Lizzie 4-30:25 "Practical, yes. You could relate to it and know that you were going to use what was learned over again." Narr 2b - The summer session is just one of several bridges that students can cross. On-going mentoring programs and after-school course work are available as well. Ott 2 - 8:40 "The program is our effort to respond to students who are having difficulties or have failed and dropped out. We want to reengage those students and get them back and feeling more comfortable." Kyle 1-15:40 "It's more like they are showing us instead of just teaching. But they do it with everyday situations. I find it works better. You don't even realize you're doing math." Narr 3 - With the help of student teachers from The University of New Hampshire, the summer program students spent a lot of time outside of the classroom. Algebra was studied on a football field. History, learned at a local cemetery. And, Shakespeare was discovered in theaters. Ott 1-12:15 "I spoke with the English teacher the other day and she told me that her class went to a Shakespearean play in Boston, which they all enjoyed. When they got back, one student said 'Wouldn't it be better if we had read Henry V first?' She nearly fell over." Paula 2- 23:23 "We're allowing kids opportunities that they've never had. They can make up course work and have enrichment programs. They've never had that here." Stand up - "According to the New Hampshire Center for Public Policy, one of every three students who enter the ninth grade in Somersworth will not be there for graduation. That cumulative drop out rate is about eight percent higher than the state average. And it's one of the reasons bridges are being built." Ott 2-11:15 "This year, if a student is having difficulties, they'll have after school programs with tutors available. And if they need it, they'll have this summer program available. We have dropped social promotion, which means passing students on regardless of the academic standings. We are building ways for kids to learn." Narr 5 - 125 students took advantage of the summer program. That's about three times higher than past years. Paula 2- 22:30 "What we did at the end of this year was put up posters and sent out mailings to students we thought would benefit. Then, a group of teachers came in at night and phoned the parents of those students and encouraged the students to come in. That's the difference." Narr 6 - About 90 percent of the students who enrolled in the summer program, successfully completed their studies. And, it was as much a learning experience for the UNH student-teachers as it was for their pupils. Jessie 2-3:40 "We found some things worked and some things didn't. One thing that failed was the open-ended questions. They would just look at us. There was no structure - intentionally and they had never seen that." Ott 1-10:09 "We can never give up, we must continue to look for ways to engage students. Sure some came reluctantly, were drug in by their parents, but our job as educators is to engage them and give them confidence." Narr 7 - The total cost for the Bridges To Success program is 79,000 dollars per year, paid for by the city. Ott 1-13:30 "question - And what does the community get in return? What they get is 125 students who will walk through the doors on Sept 3 more confident and more competent as learners." Narr 8 - For NH Outlook, I'm Phil Vaughn |
| Tomorrow Return to index of stories... |
On the next New Hampshire Outlook - Journalists from around the state discuss the week's top stories. In our Friday Edition. |
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That's it for this edition of our program. For all of us here at New Hampshire Public Television, I'm Ally McNair. Thanks for joining us. We'll see you next time on New Hampshire Outlook. |
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Thanks to our founding sponsors who have provided major funding for the production of New Hampshire Outlook: New Hampshire Charitable Foundation Public Service of New Hampshire Alice J. Reen Charitable Trust Putnam Foundation Stratford Foundation |
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Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. Journalists from around the state discuss the week's top stories. In our Friday Edition. Tonight at 10pm on New Hampshire Public Television. |
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Monday on New Hampshire Outlook. Is Captain Underpants the key to reading success for boys? Join us Monday at 10pm on New Hampshire Public Television. |
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Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. Is Captain Underpants the key to reading success for boys? Join us tonight at 10:00 only on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| key: crime / legal issues / law enforcement Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time:9/26/02 / 2200 HOST: Allison McNair Length: 18:00 In addition to a summary of the day's top New Hampshire stories, this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, included a report and discussion on an innovative program making a difference in the lives of children whose parents are in prison. t is estimated that there are more than one and a half million children in the United States whose parents are in prison. It's not known how many there are in New Hampshire.But the State Department of Corrections is trying to understand the extent of the problem. Most US families and prisoners receive little or no attention from social workers or other professionals. But that is not the case at the New Hampshire Department of Correction's Lakes Region Facility. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Theresa Kennett NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Douglas Tucker\Inmate Kristina Toth\Family Resource Program Valerie Noreau\Inmate Ed Welch\Inmate Off. Christopher Kench\NH Dept of Corrections Kevin Clancy\Inmate |
| key: education Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time:9/26/02 / 2200 HOST: Allison McNair Length: 5:17 In addition to a summary of the day's top New Hampshire stories, this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, included a report on high school drops outs. Last spring, the New Hampshire Center for Public Policy issued a report on the state's high school drop out rate. The average, according to their statistics is twenty-five percent. At the time, we shared with you the reactions of the news from one community -- Somersworth. This past summer we returned to see what they're doing to help keep students in school. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Phil Vaughn NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Jessie Jost\UNH Student-Teacher Dr. Charles Ott\Superintendent, SAU 56 Amy Bernard\UNH Student-Teacher Kyle Metta\Student Elizabeth Woodcock\Student Paula Turgeon\Teacher Dr. Charles Ott\Superintendent, SAU 56 |