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Over 45,000 people are incarcerated in Michigan prisons. Of these, over 2,000 are women, and 1,200 of these women are from Wayne County. Eighty percent of these female offenders are mothers and the majority have been the primary caregivers for their children prior to their imprisonment. The lives of these children have been drastically disrupted. Research indicates that mother/child separation due to incarceration is a major contributor to the increasing inter-generational criminal activity. When mothers are incarcerated, their children serve the harsher sentence. Their world of stability and security is shattered, leaving them angry and afraid. Assisted by a coalition of citizens and child welfare, correctional and justice officials, the Michigan Council on Crime and Delinquency established the Children’s Visitation Program (CVP) in 1988. CVP serves the needs of children whose mothers are in prison. Support from the Skillman Foundation assisted MCCD in implementing and expanding this important program. Currently, CVP is supported by funding from United Way, the Michigan Family Independence Agency, and the Wayne County Department of Community Justice. In-kind support is provided by churches, social service agencies, and the Michigan Department of Corrections.
Children's Visitation Program Florida Andrews Children's Services Director 19500 Middlebelt Road, Suite 200-E Livonia, Michigan 48152 Voice: (248) 888-1194 Fax: (248) 888-1290
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