Oklahoma Second Chance Act Grant Marks One Year of Supporting Incarcerated Parents and Their Children

The Oklahoma Department of Corrections (ODOC) and its partners are proud to announce the successful completion of the first year of the FY 2022 Department of Justice Second Chance Act: Addressing the Needs of Incarcerated Parents and Their Minor Children grant. Awarded in 2022 for $741,960, the program has made significant strides in strengthening family bonds, providing essential services to children of incarcerated parents, and working to break the cycle of intergenerational incarceration.

Through the collaborative efforts of partner agencies and sub-awardees, the grant has offered various services designed to support incarcerated parents and their children, focusing on reunification, education, and emotional well-being. The funding will continue to support these efforts through September 2025, benefiting eligible parents at the Dick Conner Correctional Center in Hominy, Okla., and the Mabel Bassett Correctional Center in McLoud, Okla., as well as children of incarcerated parents throughout the state.

“We are proud to have played an integral role in fostering a future for children whose parents are incarcerated,” said Clint Castleberry, chief administrator of classification and programs for the Department of Corrections. “The progress we’ve seen over the past year underscores the profound impact these programs have, not only for incarcerated individuals but for their children. It’s a privilege to be part of a collective effort creating lasting, positive change.”

The program supported 260 children and youth and 135 incarcerated parents in its first year. Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma’s Girl Scouts Beyond Bars program provided valuable reunification opportunities for children and incarcerated parents, offering parenting support and peer-to-peer mentorship and ensuring families maintain strong emotional bonds despite physical separation. New Hope Oklahoma provides after-school programs and community referrals to connect children with resources to meet their unmet needs. It offers academic support and enrichment activities that strengthen the individual child and the family unit. The OK Messages Project sent personalized videos and books to children of incarcerated parents, allowing them to feel connected to their parents despite the distance. These positive messages of love, hope, and encouragement have been instrumental in maintaining strong emotional ties between parents and children. The Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth convenes the Oklahoma Children of Incarcerated Parent Advisory Committee, which supports ODOC and partner agencies in coordinating and communicating grant programs and services.

“We know that supporting the children of incarcerated parents is one of the most impactful ways to break the cycle of incarceration,” said Shannon Luper, program director for Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma’s Girl Scouts Beyond Bars Program. “Our work over the last year has been about more than just programs; it’s about restoring family connections and providing young people with the hope and confidence they need to envision a better future.”

As the program enters its second year, ODOC and its partners remain committed to breaking the generational cycle of incarceration. With continued support from the Department of Justice, these organizations will keep working to build stronger, healthier families, ensuring incarcerated parents have the resources and support needed to remain connected to their children, both emotionally and practically.

About the Sub-Awardees:

• OK Messages Project: Launched in 2011, the OK Messages Project improves children’s lives by fostering a connection with their incarcerated parents through shared reading via video. Each year, they mail books and DVDs to approximately 1,000 children, ensuring their parents can read to them and deliver encouraging messages, keeping the bond alive even while incarcerated.
• Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma: Since 1914, Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma has been empowering girls and building leadership skills. Through its Girl Scouts Beyond Bars program, GSEOK has served children of incarcerated parents for over two decades, using mentorship and a nurturing parenting curriculum to strengthen family relationships.
• New Hope Oklahoma: Serving vulnerable children since 1992, New Hope Oklahoma’s mission is to interrupt the cycle of incarceration through evidence-based programming. Their after-school programs, summer camps, and family gatherings have made a significant impact on children with incarcerated parents, ensuring they have access to resources that help them succeed.
• Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth (OCCY): OCCY continues to facilitate collaboration between child-serving agencies, improving outcomes for children of incarcerated parents through the Children of Incarcerated Parents (CIP) Advisory Committee. OCCY has supported ODOC in coordinating these vital services, ensuring that Oklahoma’s most vulnerable children are given the opportunity to thrive.