I lived most of my life in Harlem, but now live in Rochester, NY. I have been keeping myself busy by making short documentaries about social issues that usually get overlooked by mainstream America. I have 11 years of experience as a documentary filmmaker and an M.F.A. in media arts production.

I am currently working on “Solutionz,” a one-hour program meant to remind communities that the incarceration of a parent has lasting negative effects on a child. My inspiration came from seeing my son who is currently incarcerated. I would leave the prison after a visit and see the kids break down when they got to the other side of the gate. It’s just heartbreaking to see. It really stuck in my mind, the faces of the kids and how they were the victims. What was their story? What did they do to deserve the heartbreak? It touched me as a filmmaker to find out what is going on with these kids.

I am looking to interview male children between the ages of 7 and 18 who have a parent incarcerated for my documentary. If you would like for your child to participate or if you’re a child who would like to participate, please fill out this form [this information will NOT be shared with anyone else]:

My plan is to screen “Solutionz” in prisons so that currently incarcerated parents can be more aware of (and thus more prepared for) the emotional and physical status of their children. I have three young women who I have already shot some footage with in Rochester, but no boys at all. I really need males between the ages of 7 and 18. I am also looking for non-profits to sponsor the film and developing a package proposal. I need to have a fundraiser in NYC and Rochester, so I know I need some space.

Well, I put my beans on the table of what I’m doing and why I’m doing what I do. Not for the money, that’s for sure. As an artist, I love filmmaking. I love it even when I’m broke because it makes me whole. Sharing rarely heard stories with others is priceless for me.

If you have any questions, please post them in the comments section below and I’ll get back to you.

I hope to hear from you. Thank you.

The holidays are traditionally a time for families to be together. That message is in the songs, the movies, and even displayed in storefront windows. What happens when your family is separated by more than distance but by the physical and psychological barriers imposed by incarceration? How then do you cope with the holidays?

We recently sat down with Dr. Harland Kessaris to talk about how to cope with the absence of a loved one during the holiday season and other questions asked by you. As a psychologist who specializes in re-entry of incarcerated individuals back into family and society, he was able to provide some insight into handling this potentially alienating time of year. (more…)

Wednesday night’s show featured Marika Turano, the documentary filmmaker of The Word Is Love, and Ms. Lorraine Watson Sr. who became the caretaker of her nine grandchildren after their mother was incarcerated.  Unfortunately we weren’t able to get Kareem “Chuckie” Watson, one of the children featured in the film on the show due to technical difficulties, but we hope to feature him in an upcoming program.

Listen to the show to hear Turano talk about the film, what she learned while making it and the advice she has for children of incarcerated parents.  Hear Ms. Lorraine Sr. talk about the sacrifices she had to make to raise her grandchildren, the pain they endured as a result of their mothers incarceration and thoughts about her grandson currently awaiting trail at Rikers Island for 1st degree murder.

It’s been a few months since the last show but the web radio show is back.  On Wednesday, October 7 at 9 p.m. EST, Makeba and I will be talking to Marika Turano, the documentary filmmaker of The Word Is Love.  Capturing the voices of children affected by arrest and incarceration, The Word Is Love looks at the impact of incarceration, but from a child’s point of view.

During the show, Turano will talk about the film and how the children featured in the film handled the impact of their parent(s) incarceration, including life with their caretakers, handling the stigma of incarceration, their feelings about their incarcerated parent and life after their parents are released.

One of the children featured in the film, Kasem“Chuckie” Watson, will also join us during the show.  Watson, whose mother was incarcerated for four years, will talk about the impact that his mother’s incarceration had on his life, and how he forged a relationship with her following her release.

Ms. Lorraine Watson Sr., the grandmother featured in the film who became the caretaker of her grandchildren while their mother was imprisoned, will also join the show.  Watson Sr. will discuss the impact that incarceration had on her life and the sacrifices she had to make.

Check out the link for a clip of the film below from the film and be sure to listen live during the show.  You can listen online at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/familylifebehindbars or by calling (347) 326-9981.  You can also ask questions or speak your mind during the show by dialing (347) 326-9981 and pressing 1, or by leaving a comment on the site.

The chances of seeing a parent go to prison have never been greater, especially for poor black Americans, and new research is documenting the long-term harm to the children they leave behind. Recent studies indicate that having an incarcerated parent doubles the chance that a child will be at least temporarily homeless and measurably increases the likelihood of physically aggressive behavior, social isolation, depression and problems in school — all portending dimmer prospects in adulthood, according to an article in the New York Times.

Makeba was out so I hosted the show last night solo.  I kicked things off with the Program Director of In Arms Reach, Sharieff Clayton.  He was released two years ago after serving 15 years behind bars.

Not only did he talk about the program, a non-profit organization that serves children of incarcerated parents, but he shared what it was like to be locked up, watching his kids grow into teenagers before being release.  He spoke candidly about the difficulty of building a relationship with his own kids, as well as the animosity and abandonment that many of the children he works with feels when their parent is behind bars.

Terrence Stevens, the Founder and Executive Director of In Arms Reach followed.  He talked about his own experience with being locked up while bound to a wheelchair, and how he came to found the program.

Stevens and Clayton offered advice to kids dealing with issues stemming from their parents being locked up, as well as how to keep from falling into the cycle of incarceration.

Listen now to hear what you missed!  As always, please share your thoughts about the show in the comments section.  Feel free to offer suggestions for future shows as well.

Davian Reynolds, our 16-year-old video columnist from Brooklyn, NY describes how he dealt with the separation from his mother during holiday season while she was in prison.

Family Life Behind Bars previously interviewed Dr. Harland Kessaris, a psychologist who specializes in re-entry of incarcerated individuals back into family and society, who provided some insight on how to cope with the absence of a loved one during the holiday season.

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS: What tips do you have to deal with separation during the holiday seasons?

[Use the comments feature below or call (646) 867-1891 to leave an audio message.]

Click on the player above or download this video here. (iPhone cellular version)

Outgoing President George W. Bush showed his inner “community organizer” on Tuesday by praising the volunteers who mentor the children of people who are incarcerated.

“These youngsters got ambitions and goals. They want to go to college. They want to make a difference,” the president said after meeting privately with a small group of volunteers and children at Big Brothers and Big Sisters’ Youth Focus Program in Greenboro, N.C. “Oh, it takes some time, it takes a little bit of extra love, but by helping a child, you can really help the country.”

President Bush appears in recent weeks to be on a farewell tour, trying to salvage his tattered ratings by reminding people of some of the charitable initiatives he launched as president. On Monday, he spoke about his efforts to battle the AIDS epidemic—an effort that even his most bitter rivals praise. And today, he tried to remind Americans that he initiated and funded an effort in 2003 to help children of people in prison.

About 2 million children and youth in the United States have at least one parent in a Federal or State correctional facility, according to Bureau of Justice Statistics.

These kids don’t just have to deal with separation from their parent, but must struggle with the economic, social, and emotional burdens associated with their parent’s incarceration.

At the same time, research shows that mentoring programs aimed at this group can make a big difference, reducing their first-time drug and alcohol use, improving their academic performance, and reducing the likelihood that they will be involved in violence. Mentoring programs can also help them develop a trusting relationship with a supportive adult and provide them with a stable environment.

In this video column, Davian Reynolds, our 16-year-old video columnist from Brooklyn, reflects on why Barack Obama’s victory in the 2008 presidential election means so much for kids like him who have or have had or might wind up having a parent who is incarcerated. (more…)

[This interviewed was rescheduled for Monday, Nov. 10. You may submit your questions through Nov. 9.]

The holiday season is meant to be a time for joy and celebration. But for many, it is difficult period when their separation from an incarcerated family member is magnified because of the relentless message that this is a time for families to be together.

Often people do not know where to turn to learn how to cope with this period. What do you tell your children when they are sad that their parent is not there? Do you engage them in this conversation or not? Who can you turn to? How do you express what you are feeling to your spouse or children? What is the best way for children to handle this period?

To answer some of those questions, I have arranged an interview with Dr. Harland Kessaris, a psychologist who specializes in helping families adjust to life when a member is in prison.

You have an opportunity to ask Dr. Kessaris your own questions to him. I’d like to hear from you – what questions do you want to ask Dr. Kessaris?

Submit them before Nov. 6 Nov. 9 and I’ll include them in the interview on Friday, Nov. 7 Monday, Nov. 10. You’ll be able to see the answers when we post the article on Monday Wednesday, Nov. 12.

You have three options:

1. Post a question in the comments section below,
2. Send an email to questions@livesinfocus.org,
3. Call (646) 867-1891 to leave a message.