Sen. Alloway proposes charitable trust to steer kids away from prison

HARRISBURG - Pennsylvania lawmakers have proposed legislation to set up a charitable trust to divert children who are on a path to prison.

“This legislation will be a game-changer for the many children with parents in Pennsylvania prisons,” Corrections Secretary John Wetzel said. “We know that not finishing school is very often the first step in the downward spiral that leads to incarceration. We need to ensure that these vulnerable children instead have a ‘first chance’ to get the education, programs and support they need for success.”

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Wetzel and a bipartisan group of senators on Wednesday unveiled legislation to establish a “First Chance Trust Fund,” that would fund scholarships and grants for children who have loved ones in prison and for children facing other challenges that put them at risk of going to jail.

Sen. Richard Alloway II, R-Chambersburg, said the bill would be a major step in giving youth the tools they need to succeed.

 “This trust fund, which is unique in the nation, will provide targeted grants and scholarships at no cost to taxpayers,” he said. “This program will be a model for states across the country, and I am excited to play a part in assisting our neediest of youth.”

Private, tax‐deductible donations and a one percent surcharge on vendors that have a contract exceeding $5 million with the Department of Corrections would fund the trust fund. Other state agencies could also adopt a surcharge. The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency would administer the trust.

The trust fund, anticipated to generate $500,000 to $1 million a year, would target regions that have high dropout rates and high risks of incarceration.

More than 81,000 Pennsylvania children have a parent in prison, according to the state Department of Corrections. About 65 percent of Pennsylvania state inmates have at least one child.

The parental absence through the formative years can have deleterious effects on a child, according to the bill's sponsors. Some psychologists have compared it to the death of a parent. Dealing with the emotional, social and economic consequences of that loss can trigger behavioral problems, lead to trouble in school and the possibility of dropping out and continuing the cycle of crime.

The legislation is authored by Alloway and state Sens. Vincent Hughes, D-Philadelphia;  Pat Browne, R-Lehigh and Jay Costa, D-Allegheny.

Some regions have programs aiming to turn children from a path to jail.

Amachi Pittsburgh offers caring mentors to children impacted by incarceration and facing challenges. The group works with secular and faith-based organizations.

POPS (Pain of the Prison System) the Club, located at Steelton-Highspire High School, offers community and emotional support to at-risk students. The club also publishes students’ writings and artwork.

"Programs such as POPS shed a light on incarceration and the struggles associated with children and families when a loved one goes to prison,” POPS art teacher Jennifer Morrison said. “POPS breaks the stigma and gives children an opportunity to heal, learn and grow from the experience through creative writing and visual arts."

"This legislation will give organizations the ability to provide children who face challenges with more educational opportunities to help them stay in school, give them a sense of stability and belonging, and protect them from going down the wrong path," said Hughes, minority chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

“Children deserve a chance to grow and thrive and dream about what the future holds,” said Costa, Senate minority Leader. “These programs – programs that recognize the potential that lives within each child, each family and each community are evidence of the opportunity we have to make a difference.”