FamilyWorks

Serving incarcerated men, FamilyWorks offers parenting and healthy relationships education along with support for the father-child relationship. Launched at Sing Sing in 1986, FamilyWorks now operates in eight New York State prisons.

The FamilyWorks parenting course teaches fathers how to be effective parents both during their incarceration and after their release. We support their efforts to make, mend, and maintain loving bonds with their children, engaging the children in this process whenever possible. Participants can progress to a course on healthy relationships, as well as a seminar for committed couples that bring the men’s partners into the prison to learn alongside them.

Inside the visiting rooms of several prisons where we offer FamilyWorks, we also operate Family Centers — cozy, semi-enclosed spaces stocked with toys, books, and art supplies — where fathers and children can spend time together. Coaching and information about resources are provided by FamilyWorks staff and trained incarcerated peers.