I wish there had been something like the OK Kids support group when I was younger because I would not be in this place today,” said an inmate at the Dorchester medium security penitentiary in New Brunswick. “I would have taken a different path.” 

When someone commits a crime, society is quick to label him or her as the offender and to identify the person directly harmed as the victim. But when an offender is charged and sent to prison, more victims emerge. The children of incarcerated parents face significant challenges and hardships, despite the fact that they are innocent of any crime. 

“Research has shown that children of an incarcerated parent are five to six times more likely to become involved in criminal behaviour if there are no programs or activities aimed at intervention,” says Frank Leonardi, a Salvation Army support group facilitator at Moncton’s CJS. “The children of these offenders need to explore their feelings around their parents’ incarceration and find ways to cope with their experiences.” 

In 2005, The Salvation Army established the OK Kids support group in Moncton, N.B., to help children and youth (ages six to16) affected by parental incarceration. The 14-week program provides an outlet for them to express their fears and frustrations in a safe and structured environment without prejudice and judgment. 

In addition to providing a safe community for these children, OK Kids encourages the development of social skills, such as communication, teamwork, sharing, friendship and trust. The program offers opportunities for the children to make meaningful and positive changes in their lifestyle by helping them believe in themselves and their abilities. 

Following the success of OK Kids, Moncton’s CJS has introduced OK Families, which seeks to help incarcerated parents build strong and healthy families.