New York State is beginning to address courts placing parents in a prison that is far from their children. This imposes a heavy, often overlooked burden that disrupts family bonds and compounds the trauma of separation. In addition, traveling is cost prohibitive and difficult to coordinate with visitation schedules making regular contact nearly impossible. This undermines any efforts to maintain a meaningful relationships and leaves the child even more emotionally unstable.

ABC News highlights a program that enables children to connect with their fathers that are serving time in prison. Regardless of the facts, these kids are ecstatic to bond with their father, even if it is only for a few hours. A big hug from Dad is all they hope for. Regardless of everything they have heard about their father’s behavior and many mistakes, they love their dad, and they miss him terribly.