Incarcerated Fathers And Their Children Find New LIFE

A group of inmates are learning how to breathe new life into their
relationships with their children through a unique program at a maximum
security prison.

A group of inmates are learning how to breathe new life into their
relationships with their children through a unique program at a maximum
security prison.

Through the 4-H LIFE-Living Interactive Family Education program at the
Potosi Correctional Center in Mineral Point, Mo., youth build
relationships with their incarcerated fathers through 4-H club work.
Developed jointly between the fathers and local 4-H staff, the program
focuses on improving parenting skills and bettering the children's
social and academic adjustment and overall well-being.

One and a half million American children have parents serving sentences
in state and federal prison, according to U.S. Department of Justice
statistics. These children can react negatively to the separation and
develop aggressive behaviors or suffer from eating or sleeping disorders.

"Offenders join the program because they see their kids are repeating
their own destructive behaviors that led to their committing crimes and
they want to help break that pattern before it's too late," said
Washington County 4-H Youth Extension Associate Robert Wilkerson.

In the 4-H LIFE program, children and their fathers can move freely and
interact naturally in an open, unstructured setting-a sharp contrast to
the restricted visitation usually granted at the maximum-security prison.

"When you meet them for a [regular] visit, you're [only] allowed a hug.
In 4-H, your kid can sit there with you and lean on you," said one
father. "You have a bigger bonding process between father and son."

The youth and their fathers work together on 4-H club activities that
encourage goal-setting, teamwork and accomplishment. One youth said
being able to work on 4-H activities with his father "created an
environment for me to be with my family like a normal family."

Fathers work on their parenting skills in formal meetings and often look
to each other for help working out family problems or other advice. They
organize food sales and recycling programs to fund activities and adopt
needy families in the community.

Families that participate in 4-H LIFE report stronger relationships,
better communication, greater family unity, life skills development and
improved home and school behavior for the youth.

"It's astounding and gratifying to see the changes the kids have made,"
said St. Francois County 4-H Youth Development Specialist Lynna Lawson.

4-H is a community of young people across America learning leadership,
citizenship and life skills.