A recently released report focused on the rapidly increasing number of children in the United States with a parent in jail or prison shows that Ohio has one of the highest rates in the nation. The report was issued by the Annie E. Casey Foundation and was published to bring attention to the damage that is done to children and communities when a child’s parent is sent to jail or prison.
Millions of Children Affected by Parental Incarceration
The data examined for the report showed that over 5 million children in the United States have had a parent in jail or prison at some point in their childhood, and Ohio had some of the highest numbers in the nation in terms of both the number of children affected and the percentage of children that have had a parent in jail or prison.
Ohio Among the States with the Highest Numbers
California was the state that had the highest number of children with an incarcerated parent, with just over half a million children affected for the years 2011 and 2012.
Ohio was fourth in the nation with 271,000 children who have had a parent in jail or prison at some point in their childhood. The total numbers are shocking, but the actual percentages of children who have dealt with an incarcerated parent are even more disturbing.
Ohio Has One of the Highest Rates of Impacted Children
While the total numbers are shocking, the percentage of children in Ohio who have had a parent incarcerated is even more troubling. According to the report:
-
10% of children in Ohio have had a parent in jail or prison
-
This is the third-highest rate in the country
-
Kentucky leads with 13%, followed by Indiana at 11%
-
Michigan and Ohio are tied at 10%
These figures indicate that the problem is especially concentrated in the Midwest, where incarceration policies and sentencing practices may be having the harshest impact on families.
The Call for Reform in Criminal Sentencing
The authors of the report argue the country’s focus on mass incarceration that has helped create this problem is “flawed, costly, and in need of change.” Among the suggestions they offer is the exploration of shorter sentences and alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent crimes.
Kentucky is one state that has moved in that direction, instituting criminal justice reforms that include alternative sentencing for nonviolent crimes as a way to slow the growth of the state’s prison population.
The Hidden Cost: What Incarceration Does to Families
The Annie E. Casey Foundation report found that the incarceration of a parent can be as damaging to a child as being a victim of abuse or domestic violence. In Ohio there are a wide variety of charges that carry mandatory terms in jail or prison, including some drug possession charges.
So if you are facing charges that carry a mandatory jail term you need an experienced lawyer not only to defend yourself against the charges, but also to protect your family from the damage your incarceration could cause.
How a Columbus Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help
Luftman, Heck & Associates, our experienced Columbus criminal defense attorneys will explore every possible defense for our clients and strive to obtain the very best outcomes in their cases through creative and aggressive advocacy. We represent our clients on a wide variety of criminal charges, including drug possession and driving under the influence.
Call us today at (614) 500-3836 for a free and confidential consultation.
Call Now (614) 500-3836