(BOP) - While incarcerated, and in some cases even before incarceration, inmates become separated from their children. The BOP recognizes that creating a successful parent-child relationship is important to the inmate's reentry success, as well as the child's success.
For those inmates wishing to enhance their parenting skills, parenting classes and activities are available to assist parents in becoming a more effective parent. These programs provide a range of parenting skills to assist them in managing their growing child's emotional and intellectual needs.
At FCI Cumberland 10 inmates and their children reconnected during a parenting program this past summer. For the last 12 years, at no cost to the government, FCI Cumberland has hosted this program that brings community organizers, volunteers, and children of incarcerated parents to this five day event conducted in the visiting room. Inmates participate in a variety of visiting room activities, designed to bring father and child closer together. During the week, they construct a family mural, write and perform skits, complete several craft projects together and share their thoughts and feelings through journaling.
Inmates begin planning months in advance for this program. They are carefully screened for participation in this week long event and must not have committed any disciplinary infractions during the previous year. When they're not at the institution, the children and community organizers stay at a local area campground where they enjoy typical camp activities like hayrides, scavenger hunts, arts and crafts, volleyball, swimming and games.