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information found in legal publications. BS Kids LLC, 78 Canterberry Court, Hudson, NH 03051 781-756-1214.
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News
In prison, Dads hope to connect
By Nancy West
Union Leader Sunday News
LACONIA – One day you might see a father hosting a tea party for his daughter. The next day might mean
a garden picnic hosted by dad. There might be some wacky dancing -- grown men in prison green, flailing
about to music. Often there are burly state prison inmates on the floor in the toy room playing eye-to-eye
during one-on-one visits with their children. But this is state prison, and there are one-way mirrors enabling
prison staff to closely monitor the inmates.
The male inmates have volunteered to improve their parenting skills -- and, they hope, their chances at
success outside the prison walls. It's all part of the Family Connections Center program at the Lakes
Region prison facility, now called Lakes Region Facility Transitional Housing and Pre-Release Center.
Kristina Toth, who heads the program, said: "Everything is about the children for me." But it's also about
the fathers who take part in the program. It is hoped that bonding with their children and family will help
keep fathers from returning to prison, Toth said.
Video: Breaking the Chain, Part Two
The program is the latest in a long line of such efforts aimed at cutting the recidivism rate. Success has
been elusive at best over the past several decades. Toth is gathering data to make sure the program is
doing what it is intended to do.
Breaking the Chain
►Parenting puts life behind bars in perspective
►Prison program gives mom hope family can stay together
►Part One: Repeat inmates costly for state and families
►'I'm the bad egg,' says prison family's father (12)
►Drugs a persistent problem (1)
►Video: Breaking the Chain, Part One
►Video: Breaking the Chain, Part Two
Toth said children are six times more likely to go to prison if their parents have gone to jail. She believes
the program will help break that cycle. Fifty-five percent of the inmates are fathers. The program is not
open to child sex offenders, Toth said. "Only one-third of those eligible avail themselves of the program.
The ones who do are committed parents," she said.
The program's goal is to strengthen the connection between incarcerated parents and their families.
Inmates may apply to take one of the parenting education classes. After completing it, they may participate
in other Family Connections Center programs -- as long as they attend one weekly parenting support
group.
The State Prison for Women in Goffstown has separate parenting programs, but it currently has no
funding for the Family Connections Center program, which was open to women inmates in the past. In
addition to regular prison visitation, the program includes fathers recording books on audio and
videotapes to send home with their children along with new books and book bags; life-skills seminars; and
semi-private visits in child-friendly rooms or in an outdoor garden. After each visit, staff members offer
inmates suggestions on improving their parenting. In 2006, the program collaborated with Child and Family
Services and got a federal grant to provide services and support for the caregivers of the inmates'
children. There's also family counseling for the incarcerated father and their children's caregiver to help
prepare the father to re-enter the family
By Nancy West
Union Leader Sunday News
LACONIA – One day you might see a father hosting a tea party for his daughter. The next day might mean
a garden picnic hosted by dad. There might be some wacky dancing -- grown men in prison green, flailing
about to music. Often there are burly state prison inmates on the floor in the toy room playing eye-to-eye
during one-on-one visits with their children. But this is state prison, and there are one-way mirrors enabling
prison staff to closely monitor the inmates.
The male inmates have volunteered to improve their parenting skills -- and, they hope, their chances at
success outside the prison walls. It's all part of the Family Connections Center program at the Lakes
Region prison facility, now called Lakes Region Facility Transitional Housing and Pre-Release Center.
Kristina Toth, who heads the program, said: "Everything is about the children for me." But it's also about
the fathers who take part in the program. It is hoped that bonding with their children and family will help
keep fathers from returning to prison, Toth said.
Video: Breaking the Chain, Part Two
The program is the latest in a long line of such efforts aimed at cutting the recidivism rate. Success has
been elusive at best over the past several decades. Toth is gathering data to make sure the program is
doing what it is intended to do.
Breaking the Chain
►Parenting puts life behind bars in perspective
►Prison program gives mom hope family can stay together
►Part One: Repeat inmates costly for state and families
►'I'm the bad egg,' says prison family's father (12)
►Drugs a persistent problem (1)
►Video: Breaking the Chain, Part One
►Video: Breaking the Chain, Part Two
Toth said children are six times more likely to go to prison if their parents have gone to jail. She believes
the program will help break that cycle. Fifty-five percent of the inmates are fathers. The program is not
open to child sex offenders, Toth said. "Only one-third of those eligible avail themselves of the program.
The ones who do are committed parents," she said.
The program's goal is to strengthen the connection between incarcerated parents and their families.
Inmates may apply to take one of the parenting education classes. After completing it, they may participate
in other Family Connections Center programs -- as long as they attend one weekly parenting support
group.
The State Prison for Women in Goffstown has separate parenting programs, but it currently has no
funding for the Family Connections Center program, which was open to women inmates in the past. In
addition to regular prison visitation, the program includes fathers recording books on audio and
videotapes to send home with their children along with new books and book bags; life-skills seminars; and
semi-private visits in child-friendly rooms or in an outdoor garden. After each visit, staff members offer
inmates suggestions on improving their parenting. In 2006, the program collaborated with Child and Family
Services and got a federal grant to provide services and support for the caregivers of the inmates'
children. There's also family counseling for the incarcerated father and their children's caregiver to help
prepare the father to re-enter the family