Reconnecting Parental Bonds

At just 3 years-old they are still too young to know how different their lives are from the lives of other children, too young to understand the devastating impact crime is having on the life of their family. Such are the lives of the young children who live with their mothers in Peru‘s Santa Mónica Women‘s Prison. 

Their circumstance is heart-wrenching and their future seems bleak. PF Peru is reaching out to these young innocents–these overlooked victims of crime–by taking them on weekly outings that sometimes include special visits to see their fathers in Sarita Colonia and Lurigancho Prisons. PF volunteers provide transportation for the children while additional volunteers arrive early to the men‘s prison to decorate the room where the children will meet the fathers whom they seldom see. “It is very moving to see how excited the fathers are while they wait for their kids,” says Imelda Vargas de Bracamonte, President of PF Peru, “many of them are seeing their babies for their first time.” Giving these fathers a chance to spend time with their children at an early age is critical in developing a lifelong bond. The fathers have the rare opportunity to hold their infant children, and through donations from PF volunteers, they are able to give them toys. “These have been moments of great joy for the parents,” says Imelda.

Special visits like this are arranged periodically by PF in cooperation with the National Penitentiary Institute (INPE). Due to the difficult logistics, the visits take place only once every three to four months. These visits along with the regular activities and outings arranged by PF for the children helps to provide them with a sense of normalcy.