A literacy-based family reunification and reentry support program
Problem
When a parent is incarcerated, a child doesn’t just lose their caregiver - they lose bedtime stories, encouragement before school, and the everyday connection that helps them thrive. The U.S. faces a generational challenge: millions of children are growing up with parents behind bars, weakening family bonds and creating long-term risks for both children and incarcerated parents.
● More than 5 million U.S. children (7%) have experienced parental incarceration.
● 1.7 to 2.7 million children are currently living with a parent in prison or jail.
● Children of incarcerated parents are more likely to face: reading and literacy delays, trauma, anxiety, depression, school disengagement, and eventual justice system involvement.
● For incarcerated parents, loss of contact with children increases stress, erodes family ties, and undermines chances of successful reentry.
This program offers a simple, proven way to keep families connected and help children succeed.
Solution
Through books and recorded readings, incarcerated parents can remain present in their children’s daily lives, fostering literacy while preserving family bonds.
How It Works
An incarcerated parent chooses a children’s book and, with support from staff or volunteers, records themselves reading it aloud along with a short personal message. The recording is securely shared with the child’s caregiver, and a copy of the same book is mailed home. This simple process means that a child can open their book, press play, and experience the joy of reading with their parent - hearing their voice, feeling connected, and building critical literacy skills even across prison walls.
Why Now? Current Policy Momentum
This program is grounded in bipartisan reform efforts and evidence-based practices that emphasize rehabilitation through family contact, education, and reentry support.
Recent reforms, including the First Step Act and the Family First Prevention Services Act emphasize rehabilitation through family engagement and education. States like Ohio, Texas, and Florida have also made family reunification and literacy core priorities. This program directly aligns with these national and state initiatives, making it both timely and fund-able.
Expected Outcomes
This program creates measurable change for children, parents, and correctional institutions where they are held.
Children read to by parents score 1.4× higher on literacy measures.
Positive parental contact reduces anxiety and behavioral problems.
Family contact reduces recidivism by up to 25%.
Preparing and recording stories builds literacy and reinforces parental identity.
Every $1 spent on correctional education saves $4-$5.
Facilities with strong family programs report fewer disciplinary incidents.
For Children
For Parents
For Institutions
Program Partners
Turning Pages Together is a partnership between Mard Philanthropy and Aleph Institute.
