Potentially the most difficult role when a person goes to prison is that of the remaining caregiver for the incarcerated parent’s child. The care giving parent, or caregiver, is responsible for supporting the child left behind as they go through the stages of processing the separation as well as managing their own feelings on the parent’s arrest and separation.

Caregivers may also be trying to support the incarcerated person during their traumatic time. The caregivers must also then tend to the basic needs of the family, potentially for the first time as the only adult. Despite the significance of these challenges, caregivers are often ignored when it comes to policy, programming, and subsidies to benefit children with an incarcerated parent. We are hoping that some caregivers’ questions may be answered through this site, and some comfort provided.