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			WHEN THE BOUGH BREAKS

Tell us what you think about WHEN THE BOUGH BREAKS.

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04/03/2008

The trauma does last a lifetime. Laura and Melissa have been our daughters since 2002. They are still haunted by the first 9 and 11 years of their lives. The haunting not only comes from their mom not being there but the reasons behind her absence. They do not blame the system. They wonder why mom did the things that she did.

01/22/2008

my granddaughter\'s mother is living with me her mother is in prison for 20yrs and has done 3 my granddaughter is 6yrs old her mother use to write all the time now she has received 1 letter in the last month she has been visiting her with her maternal grandmother.my concern is that her mother is not realizing how this affects my granddaughter she does not understand why her mother sold drugs and didn\'t stay home and take care of her. her father my son is doing the best he can to take care of her but he doesn\'t have answers either i get so tired of hearing how hard it is for the person in prison its hard on these children out here that doesn\'t have the answers they want!!

12/20/2007

My mom is in jail for 5 years. I think it should be against the law for children not to see their mom. I\'ll be 15 before I see her and 5 yrs without her for Christmas. I only see my dad but not too often. It will take a while for me to see my mom. Agin it should be an OUTLAW to have mothers in jail for over a month.

05/27/2006
shaley

i have my father and te man that i love both in the same prison. i dont think that many people relize how hard it is going through life with a parent or boyfreind thast is locked down. I have been hurt my whole life almost by these walls that keep them from me.Being only a three year old todler when my father was handcuffed and taken away to hardly ever be seen a again. i know the pain of loking at pictures or things you saved to remember and having the whole in your heart that wont go away. i have seen almost every man i love be rpped out of my life for a mistake he may or may not have made. the truth is i am sick and tired of being punished for something i did not do. thank u for letting me share i love u baby and keep ur head up dad

11/17/2005
Dave
RI

Just saw the program tonight. This was one of the most moving and troubling programs I've ever seen. Thank you for bringing the grim reality of this situation to my attention. It clearly shows how, in many cases, the punishments are much more devastating than the crimes. I will seek ways to promote awareness of the problems and push for action to address them.

09/15/2005
Sienna

I am a big sister through the orginization "Big Brothers Big Sisters" of a ten year old boy. His father has been in prison for 10 yrs. His mother has taken my little brother and his brother to visit the father maybe 5 times in the last year to meet him. The father will be getting out of prison in about a month. He was in prison for drugs and abuse. The mother has invited the man back into her/their lives and the father will be moving in. I am very scared for my little brother (and his brothers)and even for their mother. She had her boys taken away from her and was forced into rehab. This past year she has worked hard and seems so much stronger. My little brother has also come SUCH A LONG WAY and is finally "happy" and having a real childhood. He is trusting people again and doing well in school and is trying all sorts of new things and making friends. Does anyone know of information that will help me help my little brother when the time comes? I will support him no matter what but I want to know what I can do/say etc. that will help, not hurt him. I have my own fears and misgivings and I don't want my little brother to see that. Thanks so much!

09/15/2005
MARYANN

RI

I HAD THE PLEASURE OF WATCHING THE PROGRAM TONIGHT. I WAS IMPRESSED BY THE STRENGTH THAT THE CHILDREN SHOWED. HOPEFULLY STATES OR PRISONS WILL START PROGRAMS THAT CAN HELP ALL WHO NEED THESE PROGRAMS. THE LAWS DO NEED TO BE CHANGED. CONTACTING SENATORS OR REPS ON THIS SUBJECT CAN DO A WORLD OF GOOD. THE SQUEAKY WHEEL GETS THE GREASE. I AM GOING TO TALK TO SOME FRIENDS AT CHURCH AND SEE IF WE CAN TRY AND START SOMETHING.

04/10/2005
Lucrecia
sonya_rice2000@yahoo.com
Newark Nj

I am 28 years old and I have a trial coming up for a crimanal offense. I understand from both points of view as for the children and their anger and also for the parents that want to truly make a difference. I have 2 beautiful angels and 1 man whom is constantly on my mind. My man is not a boyfriend or husband but my son. Everytime I think of him continuously aging my heart cries out from just the thought of me not being there for him. I just want everyone to know that no matter what the situation is just constantly keep your head up and stay true to god because he is the only one that can deal with a bad situation and turn it completely around for the better.....So to all my sisters stay strong and find a way to love unconditionally and there will be a brighter day. because of websites like this one actually getting the message across and giving those hope that want to just give up. things may not change when we want it too but it will change in time...

03/25/2005
Nikkya
nikkya_martin@hotmail.com
New York

I hope many people take time to read my post and understand where I am coming from. I was amazed when I came across this site. I have been searching and searching and searching for a site that can be of use to me. Are there other children and/or adults who have parents who are or have been incarcerated willing to tell me their personal experiences of either going to visit their parent and/or receiving phone calls from their parent while incarcerated and allow me to put it into my senior thesis? Some of the response will be published in my senior thesis. I will not use names or places or anything that outs the person, simply the personal accounts will be used, including my own. I am 23 years old and for most of my childhood and some of my adulthood, my mother has been from county jails to state prisons and is labelled as a felon. She has been convicted of drug offenses and has been to jails and prisons and back again. I am crossing my fingers and hoping that there will be some people out there willing to tell me their stories. Thank you for your time, especially if you have read the entire post.

03/02/2005
Meagan
malton84@optonline.net
King of Prussia, PA

When I was 8 years old my mother was sentenced to 5 years in prison. I did not understand why she was sent there and what did I do to deserve this. I am now 20 years old and I do not have a great relationship with my mother because she never owned up to what she did to get herself there. I am now in college and writing a paper on women in prison and how it affects their children and society. This book has been a great resource along with my own background. I believe that all women should beable to see their parent(s) while they are in prison. I also believe that the parent outside of prison should be forced to take their children to see the incarcerated parent. It should be illegal to keep the children away. Meagan

04/20/2004
melissa
pittsburgh,pa

Anyone in prison is there for a reason. A man nor women that has been convicted of a crime no matter how big or small should not be allowed by our court system to see or have any part in raising that child. There are millions of couples in the U.S.A. that would love the opportunity to raise a child nd give them a home and love and financial support that a person in prison has no way to give them. So i believe that keeping a child with a parent that is imprisoned is immoral and unjust to that child.

03/11/2004
Geraldine
geraldine.mckee@barnardos.co.uk
Northern Ireland

I have recently be appointed Prison Development Officer for the childrens charity Barnardos. Although the charity is nationally based, I will be working in Northern Ireland. My role will be to develop a programme for Mothers in prison, (we alread run a programme for fathers in prison). The programme could involve anything because we are working form a clean slate. Does anyone know of any programmes already being delivered or systems in place within prisons to facilitate mothers in prison and children who have mothers in prison. I would love to know what is going on out there. Please contact me with your information. Thank you.

02/15/2004
Amanda
ajoyce22@yahoo.com
Carbondale IL

I am currently writing my Master's thesis on children whose parents are in prison. After I get my degree I would like to be a founder of a program that is devoted to these childern. If anyone has information for me, or happen to have been a parent in prison and will allow me to interview you I would be forever greatful. Amanda

02/10/2004
Victoria Coulter
jcoulter@gt.rr.com
Beaumon, Texas

My husband and I would like to open our home to the children of imprisoned women. I have live this life first hand and know and understand the importance of keeping a family togeather. If anyone knows who we can talk to about this, please e-mail us. Thank You Victoria

02/03/2004
Charlotte Russell Johnson
admin@reachingbeyond.net

A number of years ago, I received a fifteen year prison sentence. Durind that time, it never occurred to me that my actions were hurting my children. Those days are gone. I have been actively involved in prison ministry for more than 14 years. Please drop by my website @ http://www.reachingbeyond.net

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