Nationally, more than 2.6 million children currently are separated from their incarcerated parents. Today in Allegheny County 7,000 children – representing every ZIP code and school district – are separated from one or both parents.

The Foundation conducted a two-year study – “Children of Incarcerated Parents” – as the initial phase of its current initiative to mobilize community support for children whose parents are incarcerated.

The study’s conclusions focus on several concerns critical for children’s healthy development.

• Children of prisoners are “invisible” and their needs and wishes not considered.

• Extended families bear the burden of caring for children of prisoners alone.

• Children are sometimes told fictitious stories and fear the worst.

• Children grieve and their grief may be misinterpreted or overlooked.

• Children lose contact with their parents.

By identifying and communicating the losses experienced by this dramatically increasing population of children, the Foundation hopes to end their “invisibility” and turn community attention to meeting their needs. Since the study's release many private and public partners have joined the Pittsburgh Child Guidance Foundation to address these critical concerns.

“Children of Incarcerated Parents,” the complete report of the study, is available in the “Reports & Media” section of this website.

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