Tech Trends

Lt. Governor Peter Kinder makes an interesting post on the Team Kinder blog.

Kids with parents in prison are seven times more likely to end up in prison than those children whose parents aren’t in prison. Big Brothers/Big Sisters and I desperately want to help break this cycle by giving these precious youngsters positive role models to help guide them in shaping their decisions.

In the 2008 fiscal year budget we were successful in helping obtain $400,000 in funding for this program from the Governor and General Assembly to help it continue its important mission.

I believe this to be a noble cause. Interestingly, children who have access to both parents are far less likely to get into jail to begin with. Branson Alderman Jack Purvis, who participates in a prison ministry noted male prisoners who had an active father in their lives is almost unheard of.

Our legal system today rewards parents who alienate children from their parents with cash incentives. Add law enforcement agencies who are unwilling to enforce the law through court ordered custody agreements and you have: young men with highly likely to end up in prison, girls who are more likely to be raped, drug addicts and pregnant before their 18th birthday.