Growing up with parents who are incarcerated is not an easy experience, yet it is unfortunately common in today’s society. However, the child often bears the burden of this situation, feeling like they have a scarlet letter to wear.

Since I can remember, my father has always been involved in the system. My confusion about his identity made me fear him as a person. As a little girl, I would run in fear of my father because I didn’t know him, but also because he appeared large in the pictures. This made it difficult for me to comprehend his role in my life. The first time I was informed of his identity and the circumstances surrounding it, I saw him in prison.