Women prisoners in Utah are given the opportunity to participate in a ”bedtime stories” program as a way to bond with their families, reports Keri Lunt Stevens for the Associated Press.
Sponsored by United Way and the Ashton Family Foundation, the program is primarily geared toward incarcerated moms who have young children, writes Stevens in the January article.
“Moms who are in prison still, like any mom, want to have a connection with their child,” said Katie Hoshino, senior adviser of community relations, Utah County United Way.
The program was created 10 years ago by Brigham Young University student Brook Plowthow, then a freshman with an idea of a way to serve the community.
Participating inmates are able to record themselves reading books to the children they love through the program, reported Stevens. From recordings, individual compact discs are made and then sent to each child.
Program participant Sasha Foltz is serving a five-year sentence. “I’m really grateful for this program,” Foltz said. “We don’t get a lot of contact otherwise.”
Stevens noted the program delivers a double impact. The children receive a level of attention that may have been lost, and the mom receives a degree of satisfaction in being able to give affection.
Along with the recorded story, a brief message such as “I love you,” or “I miss you,” is allowed and often included, according to the article.
Commenting on the situation that incarcerated mothers are in, Hoshino said, “That bond that is created when you read, your child is missing that when mom is in prison.”
One Sunday a month, United Way volunteers, using hand-held recorders, sit one to a table with paper and pen nearby capturing the expressions of love delivered by the inmates, Stevens explained.
Sharing her experience with the program, United Way coordinator Stephanie Anderson said, “When you meet the inmates and see them tear up and cry while reading these stories, you see they are just normal people.”
The Timpanogos Women’s Correctional Facility has hosted the effort. The core idea is to unite inmates with their families. A collection of books that have been pre-screened for the program are available for the readers.
Serving an 18-month sentence at Timpanogos, Rainey Bridges appreciated the opportunity to read to her 4-year-old son, Jaykob. “I miss my little boy,” said Bridges. “It makes me feel closer to him.”
Mother to son or daughter are not the only relationships to benefit from the program. Some inmates have read to siblings, nieces, nephews and even their dying parents, explains Stevens.
“Yes, they are paying their debts to society, and they should be–but their kids shouldn’t be,” said Anderson.
Although those with child related crimes are not eligible for the program, Stevens reports.
