Event Recap: Breaking the Stigma – Dr. Morgan and Da’Jauna on Supporting Children of Incarcerated Parents
On November 12, 2024, Dr. Morgan and Da'Jauna shared powerful insights into the emotional and mental health challenges faced by children of incarcerated
On November 12, 2024, Dr. Morgan and Da'Jauna shared powerful insights into the emotional and mental health challenges faced by children of incarcerated parents at our event, “Breaking the Stigma.” Here’s a recap of the thought-provoking discussion and some of the key takeaways from the event.
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Dr. Morgan is an Assistant Professor specializing in family resilience and therapy, particularly in the context of incarceration. Her research aims to shed light on the long-term effects of parental incarceration on families.
Da’Jauna is a dedicated advocate for children of incarcerated parents, with personal experience in overcoming the challenges that come with having an incarcerated parent.
Personal Stories of Struggle and Resilience
Both Dr. Morgan and Da’Jauna’s stories were rooted in the intersection of incarceration, mental health, and family dynamics.
Dr. Morgan shared how her own family’s struggles with mental health and substance abuse led her to confront the harsh realities of the criminal justice system at a young age. Her uncle’s recurring incarcerations had a profound impact on her cousin, and it was through these early experiences that she began to question how incarceration affects children and families. “I grew up in an environment of privilege, but I saw how this issue shaped my family,” Dr. Morgan explained. This sparked her passion for therapy and, later, research on the long-term effects of parental incarceration.
Da’Jauna shared her firsthand struggles growing up with an incarcerated father. She grew up with her father in and out of prison, and at a young age, she carried the heavy weight of shame and self-blame. “I thought maybe if I had done something differently, he wouldn’t be in prison,” she recalled. This led to struggles with depression, crippling anxiety, and trust issues that still affect her today. Despite these challenges, Da’Jauna has channeled her experiences into advocacy, particularly through her work with the UnLocked Project and as a leader in the fight for criminal justice reform. “I want to make sure kids who are going through what I went through know they are not alone,” Da’Jauna said.
The Impact of Parental Incarceration on Children
The conversation explored the wide-ranging effects parental incarceration has on children’s mental health and well-being, highlighting both personal stories and research findings.
Da’Jauna was candid about the lasting effects parental incarceration had on her life. She recalled feeling isolated and disconnected, often taking on a parenting role for herself and her younger sister as her mother worked long hours to support the family. “I had no one to talk to. I didn’t have the resources or the support I needed,” Da’Jauna explained.
She also highlighted the shame children of incarcerated parents often feel. “I blamed myself for my dad’s incarceration, even though it had nothing to do with me. That guilt and shame weighed on me for years,” she shared. Da’Jauna pointed out that these emotional burdens can manifest as behavioral issues in children, which are often misunderstood and mismanaged by the systems that are supposed to help them. “A lot of kids with incarcerated parents have these issues, but no one takes the time to ask, ‘What’s going on? What do you need?’” Da’Jauna said. “If I’d been asked that as a kid, I wouldn’t have done some of the things I did growing up.”
Dr. Morgan echoed this sentiment, pointing out that research backs up Da’Jauna’s experience. “Children of incarcerated parents are more likely to struggle with anxiety, depression, and behavioral issues. These kids face higher rates of involvement with the legal system and tend to have difficulties with trust and relationships,” Dr. Morgan explained. “There’s also a significant impact on academic performance and long-term mental health.”
Both speakers highlighted the stigma that accompanies being the child of an incarcerated parent. This stigma often compounds the trauma, with children feeling ashamed or even judged by their communities. Dr. Morgan introduced the concept of “secondary prisonization,” a term in research that describes how family members of incarcerated individuals—especially children—are treated as if they too are criminals. This stigma extends to communities as well, where neighbors, friends, and even institutions like schools can perpetuate negative stereotypes. “The stigma is real,” Dr. Morgan said. “The idea that if your family member is incarcerated, you must be a criminal too—that’s ingrained in our culture.”
Shifting the Narrative: Therapy, Representation, and Advocacy
One of the central themes of the event was the need to destigmatize therapy and mental health support, especially in communities of color. Da’Jauna shared a powerful example of how stigma about therapy can prevent children from accessing the help they need. She works at a high school in Baltimore, where many students have incarcerated parents, and she recalled reading an essay from a young girl that left her in tears. The girl was going through an unimaginable amount of pain, and all she needed was someone to talk to. When Da’Jauna suggested speaking to a professional, the girl immediately asked, “Is CPS going to get involved?”
This reaction is rooted in a larger cultural belief in many Black and Brown communities that therapy equates to child removal. “We need to change the way therapy is viewed,” Da’Jauna explained. Therapy is not about taking kids away from their parents; it’s about offering help. We have to shift the narrative in our communities.
Dr. Morgan explained that the fear of therapy leading to CPS involvement is not unfounded, as research shows that therapists—particularly white ones—are more likely to report Black and Brown families to CPS than white families. She stressed the importance of cultural humility in the mental health field, urging that therapists must be culturally competent and attuned to the unique challenges faced by children of incarcerated parents. “We also need more Black, Brown, and Indigenous therapists who can truly resonate with the communities they serve,” she added.
Reflecting on an early experience in Seattle, Dr. Morgan recalled how she arrived at a therapy session in her “fancy white outfit” only to be met with skepticism as she was asked “Who are you? What are you going to do for my family?” “They were right,” Dr. Morgan said. “They didn’t trust me, and rightfully so. They didn’t trust my ability to relate to their struggles. Representation in the field matters.”
Moving Forward: How We Can All Help
Dr. Morgan and Da’Jauna emphasized that while structural change is necessary, individual actions matter. They encouraged the audience to get involved, be informed, and become advocates for children of incarcerated parents.
Dr. Morgan emphasized that reducing stigma and offering support can be as simple as changing the way we talk about people. “People are not their crimes. Families are not their loved ones’ transgressions,” she said. “We need to start seeing people as individuals, not defined by their past mistakes. We all have the power to reduce stigma and shift the narrative.”
For Da’Jauna, it starts with education and advocacy. “Get knowledge about the school-to-prison pipeline, the effects of parental incarceration, and then go out and do something about it,” she said. “As college students, we have the time and the freedom to raise our voices and make a change. We can advocate for policy changes, but we can also be there for our friends who might not feel comfortable talking about their experiences. Sometimes all it takes is being a listening ear.”
Both speakers agreed that creating safe spaces for open dialogue is essential. Whether through advocacy, support, or simply offering a listening ear to a friend, we can all play a role in breaking the cycle of incarceration and supporting the children caught in its wake.
Conclusion: Building Resilience, One Step at a Time
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Da’Jauna and Dr. Morgan’s stories of personal resilience and professional commitment offer a blueprint for how we can make a real difference. By challenging stigma, supporting mental health in marginalized communities, and advocating for change, we can all contribute to building a more inclusive and compassionate society where children of incarcerated parents are given the tools they need to thrive.
If we can be more compassionate, more understanding, and more willing to listen, we can create a world where every child—no matter their background—has the opportunity to succeed and build a future free from the cycle of incarceration.
