When a parent is sent to prison, the unintended victims of their crimes are often their own children. Kids of incarcerated parents are at higher risk for mental health and development issues, including depression, anxiety, and behavioral problems.
Children with incarcerated parents have greater rates of specific mental health conditions. They are more than three times as likely to suffer from depression or behavioral or conduct problems. And children of prisoners are twice as likely to encounter antisocial outcomes and poor mental health problems compared with their peers. Check out the video on the subject here.
Storytelling can be a powerful tool for healing for these families. Through storytelling, parents in prison can stay connected to their children and help support their emotional development. And for kids, hearing their parents' stories can provide much-needed understanding and comfort.
If you have a parent in prison or work with families affected by incarceration, consider using storytelling as a way to promote healing and connection.
How storytelling can help parents in prison stay connected to their kids
In a prison environment, it is difficult for men to show their feelings and emotions around other inmates. And that is one of the main reasons why they become tougher and less responsive to the outside world, which can ultimately lose the connection they had with their families.
But what if there was a way for them to still express themselves and show their loved ones that they care, even from behind bars?
That is where storytelling comes in.
Storytelling can help bridge the gap between a parent in prison and their child on the outside. It can provide a connection that would otherwise be lost and can help the parent express their emotions in a way that is safe and non-threatening.
It can provide a way for dads to stay involved in their children’s lives, even though they are physically absent. Storytelling can also help kids make sense of their emotions and experiences and feel less alone.
A study in the UK showed that 98% of the prisoners who took part in storytelling exercises say that it improved their relationship with their children.
One of the reasons for this is that prisoners get the chance to unwind with their thoughts and reflect on their own emotions when recording a story for their children, which can be very therapeutic.
Of course, these storytelling activities need to take place in a closed environment away from disturbances of other inmates, where they can relax and let their feelings and thoughts out.
How storytelling can help kids of incarcerated parents understand and cope
It can be difficult for kids to understand why their parents are in prison, and they may feel ashamed, confused, or abandoned. Storytelling can help kids make sense of their emotions and experiences.
Listening to their parent’s stories can provide comfort and reassurance that they are still loved. It also helps them understand the situation their parents are in.
Storytelling can also help kids cope with the stress of having a parent in prison. Studies have shown that storytelling can reduce stress levels, lower blood pressure, and improve sleep.
If you are a parent in prison, consider telling your children stories about your life, your experiences in prison, and your love for them. You can also encourage them to tell you their own stories. This will help you stay connected to your children and provide them with the support they need.
How can parents in prison record stories?
Many prisons now facilitate the recording of stories by inmates through the use of computers or phones. These recordings can then be sent to the child’s caregiver on the outside.
Many organizations provide parents in prison with the opportunity to record their stories, such as Books Behind Bars and StoryCorps.
If you are a parent in prison and would like to record a story for your child, you can contact one of these organizations or ask your prison counselor about the possibility of recording a story.
There are a few different ways that parents in prison can record stories for their children. One option is to use a voice recorder or a storytelling app like Rakonto on a phone or laptop/computer.
How Rakonto can help bridge the connection
Rakonto is a peaceful place where you can come and unwind with your thoughts to create recordings of cherishable memories and stories you can share with your loved ones.
Rakonto offers a safe, secure, and private place for you to reflect on your emotions and record them in your own voice.
It is also an opportunity for you to express yourself in a way that is non-threatening and can help build trust and intimacy.
Recording your story with Rakonto is simple and easy to do. You can record as much or as little as you like and share your recording with your child through the app.
Check out the getting started on Rakonto video to help with the onboarding process. There are many great features available on the platform that make recording stories seamlessly and enjoyable. Give it a try today for FREE!
Conclusion
Storytelling can be a powerful tool for healing for families affected by incarceration. Through storytelling, parents in prison can stay connected to their kids and help support their emotional development.
And for kids, hearing their parents' stories can provide much-needed understanding and comfort. If you have a parent in prison or work with families affected by incarceration, consider using Rakonto as a way to promote healing and connection through storytelling.
