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DC collects books for children visiting parents in prison

by Eugene Morris
Office of Community Relations

Picture this: you’re a 7-year-old child. Your father made some really bad decisions. He got arrested. After a trial, he went to prison. Now the closest thing to quality time you have with him is when your mother brings you, your two brothers, a sister and a cousin to the prison’s visiting park on weekends.

If you work in corrections, you know this is real life for close to two million kids nationwide. In Florida, more than 40% of the state’s 90,000 inmates have children 17 years of age and under on their visiting lists, while 26.5% list children under 11 years of age. Nationwide, although children with parents incarcerated in state or federal prison vary widely in age, nearly 60% of the children are under 10 years of age and close to 30% are between the ages of 10 and 14.

What can be done to address this issue? For Secretary James R. McDonough, the solution was easy – find a way to teach the kids. In January, Secretary McDonough began writing to various businesses and organizations seeking support. So far, more than 6,000 coloring books, crayons, other children’s books and activity books have been donated. The Florida Education Association donated $1,000 while Wal-Mart, Target and Publix each donated gift cards to the Corrections Foundation to purchase books. Since donations are made to the Foundation, the 501 c3 non-profit, direct support organization for the department, the gifts are tax-deductible.

Once received, the donated items are delivered to regional offices which distribute the materials to institutions in their respective areas of the state. The supplies are then on hand when children visit their parents on visiting days. The children then have the option of either using the books during the prison visit or taking the items home with them. Research has shown that providing children with the access to age-appropriate reading material and the opportunity to express themselves can aid in the adjustment of having an incarcerated parent.

“Studies show that having a parent in prison is an enormously stressful experience that may impact a child for years. Many such children suffer emotional stress, social isolation, difficulties in school, mood changes, regression and health problems,” McDonough writes. “The arts can help to ease their pain. Giving children time to express themselves can be a major support to those who are carrying any heavy burden.”

The following groups have donated coloring books, crayons, other children’s books and activity books: Scholastic Book Fairs, Harcourt Education, AAA Auto Club South, State Farm Life Insurance Company, Visit Florida, Air Tran Airways, Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections, the Florida State University Panhellenic Association and the Florida departments of State (Division of Cultural Affairs), Health, Environmental Protection and Agriculture and Consumer Services.

“On behalf of Publix, we are proud to support the Florida Department of Corrections,” wrote Dwaine Stephens, Manager of Media and Community Relations for the store’s Jacksonville Division. “We are proud to support your organization’s endeavors to enrich the lives of those in our communities. Best wishes for continued success.”

If you would like to make a donation of coloring books, crayons or other children’s books, or if you would like to make a cash donation to the Corrections Foundation to assist with the purchase of these much needed items, please call Eugene Morris at 850-410-4587 or reply to morris.eugene@mail.dc.state.fl.us.