Invisible victims: How children's museums are strengthening families through partnerships with correctional facilities

Abstract

A large and increasing number of children in the United States are systematically rendered invisible due to the effects of parental incarceration, forced to navigate a correctional system that does not often take their particular needs into account. This trauma can put children at risk of long‐term developmental consequences that can be lasting across generations. Two children's museums, among others, are developing unique partnerships to mitigate this negative impact. The Children's Museum of Manhattan has an ongoing partnership with the NYC Department of Correction to reunite incarcerated parents at Rikers Island with their children for an afternoon at the Museum. Hands On Children's Museum in Olympia, Washington, is partnering with the Washington Department of Corrections to redesign the children's area of visiting rooms in three correctional facilities. Anecdotal evidence of strengthened parent–child bonds and improved behavior of parents during incarceration show that early indications of both efforts are positive.