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15-year-old Keith Tingman remembers his tenth birthday better than any other birthday before or since. That was the day he watched his mom get arrested after being falsely accused of stealing someone's wallet. Ultimately, both of Keith's parents were convicted of possession of stolen property. His dad served ten months in Riker's Island, and his mom was put on probation. Keith is far from alone. A recent University of Michigan study shows that among African-American children born in 1990, more than one-quarter have had a parent serve time by the time they turn 14 years old.
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Piece Description
15-year-old Keith Tingman remembers his tenth birthday better than any other birthday before or since. That was the day he watched his mom get arrested after being falsely accused of stealing someone's wallet. Ultimately, both of Keith's parents were convicted of possession of stolen property. His dad served ten months in Riker's Island, and his mom was put on probation. Keith is far from alone. A recent University of Michigan study shows that among African-American children born in 1990, more than one-quarter have had a parent serve time by the time they turn 14 years old.
Broadcast History
WNYC Morning Edition - October 7, 2009
Transcript
HOST INTRO: The dramatic rise in the U.S. prison population over the last quarter century has come with an equally steep growth in the number of kids with incarcerated parents. A recent study shows that among African-American children born in 1990, more than one-quarter have had a parent go to jail or prison by the time they become teenagers. 15-year-old Radio Rookie Keith Tingman knows just how difficult it is for kids when their parents are arrested.
Narration: My mom is short and pretty. She's a respectful person--not the type to hurt somebody's feelings or do something bad.
Keith: Mom what you making?
Mom: I just took some steak out the oven.
Narration: She cooks dinner for us every night.
Mom: And some rice and peas, I'll make that later.
Narration: We play a lot together. When I'm in a funny mood I fake punch her on her side and she does it back. Or sometimes my mom and her b...
Read the full transcript
Additional Credits
Sanda Htyte, Associate Producer
Courtney Stein, Assistant Producer
Marianne McCune, Editor
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