Prior to starting our mentoring program, Bridge Builders for Kids conducted a research study to determine the major causes of these children who become involved in the criminal justice system.  This research led to the development of the Pan-Time Theory, which states that the major cause of violent crime is the environment children experience prior to the age of ten.

The two most specific environmental factors are:

• Not enough one-to-one positive-adult nurturing (PAN Time)
• Too much trauma.

In many instances, there is a combination of both.  Many children are also witness to criminal activity and the arrest of their parent.  This intensifies the child's loss and creates additional trauma.  The loss of the parent is often exacerbated by poverty which may involve moving from place to place and switching schools.
 
When children are separated from their parent, they experience feelings of:

Abandonment Anxiety Fear Hopelessness

Anger Isolation Shame Guilt

The lack of positive adult nurturing time coupled with trauma impacts a child in three particular areas.

• Lack of Trust – Children of prisoners rarely have steady committed adults in their lives.  Many different adults often come in and out of their lives, whether it is their parent going in and out of prison, or different boyfriends moving in and out of their home. Just when they begin to get attached to someone, their trust is betrayed when that person steps from their life.

• Reduced Confidence & Self Esteem – There is a stigma when a parent goes to prison.  Children of prisoners typically feel embarrassed and ashamed.  They are usually uncomfortable talking about their situation.  Because of their circumstances at home, they often don’t have the opportunity to learn or try new things that other children may be doing.

• Diminished Hope – Too often, the circumstances children of prisoners grow up in become a norm and they have difficulty seeing all the opportunities for them.