This Mother and Daughter Are Breaking the Cycle of Incarceration in Their Family

For Jalyssa, a recent high school graduate, her job at Sam’s Bakery has given her the stability she’s always longed for.

Jalyssa’s childhood was filled with uncertainty. Her mother Angelica was in and out of prison, and their relationship was fraught with resentment and anger.

Jalyssa isn’t alone. It’s estimated that 1.5 million young people, 17 or younger, have had a parent who was in state or federal prison. The impact can be far-reaching. Children of incarcerated parents can face more economic and residential instability than their counter parts according to the Survey of Prison Inmates, and PubMed.  

During Angelica’s last stint in prison, she made healing her relationship with Jalyssa a priority. Angelica signed up for Girls EmbracingMothers (GEM), a Dallas-based nonprofit that works to break the cycle of incarceration by reducing the impact of maternal separation caused by incarceration.

GEM began bringing Jalyssa to visitAngelica once a month. During their visit they would participate in facilitated conversations, workshops, and art therapy projects. Eventually, after a process of forgiveness and communication, they built the strong relationship they have today.

In 2022, Jalyssa graduated high school and started looking for a job. For a time, she worked at a pizza parlor, but she realized soon enough there was no clear career pathway. She was driven to find something more.

That’s when she was introduced to Unlock Potential though GEM.It was a turning point for Jalyssa.

The National Institute to Unlock Potential, co-founded by the Responsible Business Initiative for Justice and Persevere, is designed to disrupt the prison pipeline by opening meaningful career opportunities early on. The organization works with young people, ages 16 to 24, who are susceptible to incarceration in four high-risk areas: foster care, parental incarceration, human trafficking, and juvenile justice. Unlock Potential partners community-based organizations, like GEM, who have established relationships with these young people and corporate partners like Sam’s Club.

Jalyssa was determined to find a job that offered her growth and stability. In May 2023 she started her 10-week internship at one of Unlock Potential’s corporate partners,Sam’s Club – which is part of Walmart. During her internship, she spent time in various departments. Now she’s working full time at the bakery, a job she says she loves.

Jalyssa says she enjoys the camaraderie of her coworkers and is excited about the opportunities Sam’s Club offers to grow her career.

Both mother and daughter now have stable jobs that allow them to believe in a better future for themselves. Angelica is particularly proud that Jalyssa is committed to her job and that they have broken the cycle of incarceration within their family. Their relationship is stronger than ever.  

To learn more, go to www.unlock-potential.org.

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