In Oklahoma, we have a crisis within our judicial and prison
system. Oklahoma is the female-incarceration capital of the country, with
twice as many imprisoned as other states. Native women represent 13 percent of
the prison population, and across the country, the incarceration rate of Indian
women is 38 percent higher than the national average.
Sadly, here in Oklahoma the majority of women are in jail for
nonviolent drug crimes. This alarming number of imprisoned women means
thousands of Oklahoma children are without their mothers. To keep families better
connected and healthier, Cherokee Nation and Cherokee Nation Businesses have collaborated
with the Oklahoma Messages Project, a nonprofit that serves the vulnerable
children of the incarcerated.
The Oklahoma Messages Project is making a difference in the
lives of innocent kids. Our financial support allows the organization to film
parents in prison reading books to their children. During Christmas, Mother’s
Day and Father’s Day, parents read books to their children and share personal
messages. Children receive the videos, along with the book their parent read on
tape, so families can share a moment and a book together.
I am proud of this effort because it is improving
relationships, boosting literacy and building self-esteem for both ends of the
family unit: parent and child. A loving message and story time with Mom or Dad
remind kids they are loved. Obviously, with a parent away, kids are more
vulnerable to substance abuse and academic failure. We are able to help break a
spiraling cycle through this effective prevention and literacy program that
makes a positive difference in kids’ lives. Without intervention and prevention
programs, children of incarcerated parents are seven times more likely to
become inmates themselves.
Another Cherokee Nation partner, New Hope Oklahoma, also
serves children with parents in prison. New Hope programs include summer camps,
after-school programs, weekend retreats, family gatherings and case management
tools. CNB partners with multiple nonprofit agencies that share a common goal
of helping Oklahoma women and their families with the struggle and effects of
addiction, as well as criminal justice system challenges.
We can and we must do better for our citizens in Oklahoma.
We must improve the processes and make the conditions better so that women are
not saddled with unfair and long-term prison sentences, which create
depression, anger and anxiety. That means better education opportunities,
better mental health services and more chances for economic security with
access to health insurance.
Cherokee Nation also has an award-winning reintegration
program called Coming Home. The program helps former prisoners get back on
their feet upon release, including help with jobs and housing. It is one of the
most progressive reintegration programs not only in Oklahoma, but across Indian
Country.
We cannot just give up on people and families because of
incarceration. Children especially need the nurturing and stability programs that
Oklahoma Messages Project and New Hope Oklahoma work to provide each and every
day.
All these partners and organizations share a common goal:
make kids a priority and ensure they are not forgotten within this crisis. We
cannot expect children to rise above the hardships of their parents’ mistakes
if we, as a community, do not lend them the tools and support necessary to do
so.
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