Understanding the Affect of Parental Incarceration in Pennsylvania: The Importance of In-Person Visits for 65,000 Kids

In Pennsylvania, approximately 65,459 children have a parent currently incarcerated, as reported by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. Nationwide, around 50% of adults have had a close relative face imprisonment, and 1 in 14 children have lost a parent residing with them to incarceration. In May 2025, State Rep. Andre Carroll, whose district includes parts of northwest Philadelphia and whose father was imprisoned during his childhood, introduced PA House Bill 1506. This legislation aims to enhance communication between incarcerated individuals and their families by ensuring that phone and other communication methods are free, while also preventing the replacement of in-person visits with alternative communication forms like video calls. Research indicates that children with incarcerated parents face challenges but often display resilience. Enabling in-person contact can significantly bolster parent-child relationships, a crucial factor for resilience, while also benefiting both parties emotionally and socially, ultimately aiding reintegration post-incarceration.