Prison

My name is Emily. I'm 13 years old, and I live with my grandmother. I have an older brother and a younger sister. I live with my grandma because my mom is in prison. She has been gone for about a year now. My grandma tells me that my mom will come back home to us one day, but I'm beginning to think that she is not telling me the truth. My mom is prison because she stole some money to buy drugs. When I grow up I am not going to use drugs.

I get to see my mom every other Saturday afternoon. It takes about 2 hours to drive to the prison where she is. We only get to visit for one hour and then it is another two hours drive back home. Sometimes I don't want to go visit my mom, because I'd rather hang-out with my friends. Then I feel bad for not wanting to go. Most of my friends don't know that my mom is in prison. I haven't invited any of my friends over to spend the night since she left. It's embarrassing and I know they would talk about me and not be my friends anymore.

Life has been really hard since Mom has been gone. My older brother is getting into trouble and my little sister cries a lot. My grandma tries to help us all, but it's just too big of a job. I wish I had a different life. I wish I had a normal family. I wish I were grown up and away from here. I wish.....

Reflecting through a Child's Eyes:

• What do you suppose are some of Emily's emotions whenever she thinks of her mother? When she thinks of her Grandma? What do you think are some of Emily's hopes and dreams?
• If you could say one thing to Emily what would it be?
• If you could plan a special day for Emily what would it be like?
• Picture yourself sitting with Emily in her room. What does it look like? Does she share it with her siblings? What would your conversation be like?
• Take a moment to say a prayer for Emily and all the children around the world with parents in prison.

Reflecting through God's Word:

• Read Isaiah61:1-3. How is Emily a "captive" in regards to her mother's imprisonment? What does this passage have to say to those of us in the church in regards to the Emilys in our community.
• Name some ways that you and/or your church can bring "good news" to these children whose parents are in prison.
• Name some ways you can "bind up" their broken hearts?
• Discuss ways in which your group can "proclaim liberty" to these captive children?
• Read Luke 4:18-19. What good news does this passage proclaim to Emily and others like her? How can this passage move you to action?
• What are your thoughts now about prisoners and their children?

Prayer:
We pray for Emily and all the children around the world who's parent or parents are imprisoned for whatever reasons. Help them to find peace and freedom in the midst of their circumstances. Give them friends and people who will love and support them during the dark days of loneliness and confusion. Help us to find ways to love and support these children, so that their dreams may be fulfilled and they can be all that you have created them to be. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Resources
Printable Version — pdf / Word
Graphics
National Mentoring Center — http://www.nwrel.org/mentoring/children_prisoners.html
Child Welfare League of America — http://www.cwla.org/programs/incarcerated/
Family and Corrections Network — http://www.fcnetwork.org/
All Alone in the World: Children of the Incarcerated— Neil Bernstein
Dad's In Prison — Sandra Cain
Visiting Day— Jacqueline Woodson, James Ransome (Illustrator)