Sesame Street is introducing a new character whose father is in prison. Good or Bad? Is there a meta-message?

read this: http://www.philly.com/philly/news/Sesame_Street_aims_to_help_children_cope_with_incarcerated_parents.html

On the one hand, as they are introducing a learning kit, this could be a good way for kids whose families have one or more parents in prison to try and make sense of it.

But meta-message – the high level message – it seems to me, is that prison is now considered “normal and acceptable”.

I’m truly mixed about this – what are your thoughts/