SB 1404: Services for Children with Incarcerated Parents

Last Updated (Wednesday, 01 April 2009 19:20) Written by Administrator Thursday, 16 October 2008 16:55

Status: SB 1404, a bill that would provide information on services available to children with a parent in prison, passed the Senate unanimously and is currently in the house Rules Committee

Background: Approximately 90,000 children in Illinois currently have one or both parents in prison. Children with incarcerated parents are often left behind and forgotten by our current criminal justice system. SB1404 would provide much needed information on vital services to children in Illinois who have a parent in prison.

• SB 1404 would direct the Department of Human Services to compile and provide informatin on services available to children with incarcerated parents
• Public informatino would be designed to reduce the stigma of having an incarcerated parent.
• The information will be provided to all inmates entering IL prisons. By providing information to parents in prison, SB1404 creates the best process to reach as many children with incarcerated parents as possible.
• A 2006 study by The Chicago Reporter found that an estimated 90,000 children in Illinois currently ahve a parent in prison. Less than 1 in 6 of these children are receiving any sort of counseling.