Hello, welcome to the new site of The National Incarcerated Parents and Families Network.  My name is Charles E. Stuart, I am the President and Founder of this 501-C3, Tax Exempt Non-Profit Organization.

After working with another National Organization, I made the decision to start NIPFN in 2004.  I wanted to start something that I could be proud of and that would honestly work towards improving our communities, by improving the lives of those who reside in them, without the main focus on "making a profit".  

Today there are over 2.4 million people that are incarcerated in the United States.  This number is larger than the populations of some small countries.  According to various studies and reports, about 95% of the offenders will re-enter some  community.  In knowing this, a very important stage of this process will be to prepare these offenders to return to society.

Re-entry

This is finally, "The Flavor of the Week".  Re-entry or preparing for re-entry, is  the most important phase in the incarceration of a "person".  How this issue is addressed could make a significant difference in the "out of control" rise in recidivism (offenders in and out of prison or incarceration) rates across our country.  

Another important  aspect, that is real, are the children that are following in the footsteps of many of their, parents,friends and relatives.  We often talk about or make the motivational statement, "It takes an entire village to raise a child", my question is, "What if all that live in that village are "convicted felons"? 

Today, in our society children are being raised, not expecting to finish Junior High School, High School, college or a trade school, but go to prison, as if it was a right of passage.

"Red Flag!"

According to the Department of Justice, parents held in U.S. prisons had an estimated 1,498,800 minor children in 1999, an increase of over 500,000 since 1991. Of the Nation’s 72 million minor children, 2.1% had a parent in State or Federal prison in 1999.

"Footsteps"

One child follows the footsteps of another child. As we think about this, we must think about the one child that is leading the other.  Whose footsteps did that child follow, and where is she heading?

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                                                                                                   Thank you Cynthia, you have "Heart".

Thank you, New Mexico for your warm

hospitality and the "heart " that you showed.  Together, we can make a difference.

I am looking forward to a return visit.  Remember

to raise your clinched fist in the air and shout,

Community Power!