by KYW's Dr. Marciene Mattleman
Four year old Janie makes a weekly trip to prison so her mom can visit her dad. Inside she must sit quietly in a stiff adult chair while a guard stands watching. Before entering inside where inmates are, everyone is searched—even babies whose diapers are removed.
Susan Burt Collins, a criminal lawyer, who was always bothered by seeing young children in this situation, has been advocating to change this experience for kids. Aiming to avoid having kids seeing prison as just another part of life, her goal is to develop a childcare center in a portable trailer, or other space outside the secure part of the prison.
Collins believes that agencies with a track record in childcare who understand this population are available to manage such an effort and could train university social workers and education students as well.
Pittsburgh protects its kids with such a center; Philadelphia has a great need. To get involved contact Burt-Collins at 215-630-1568 or noplaceforkids@gmail.com.
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