News Summary
The Riley’s Readers program at Leath Correctional Institution has reached a significant milestone, surpassing 1,000 recorded books for incarcerated parents to share with their children. This initiative fosters connections between parents and children despite the challenges of imprisonment, providing comfort and facilitating literacy. Established in 2016, the program has gained traction, with aspirations to further expand its reach and impact. Leaders highlight the positive feedback received, emphasizing the importance of maintaining familial bonds during incarceration.
Greenwood, S.C. – The Riley’s Readers program at Leath Correctional Institution has marked a significant milestone by surpassing 1,000 recorded books for incarcerated parents to share with their children. This initiative aims to foster connections between parents and their kids despite the barriers posed by imprisonment, ensuring that children maintain a bond with their parents during their time behind bars.
Inmates at Leath, with a population of over 470, participate in this program by recording themselves reading various children’s books. The recorded messages serve as a comforting reminder of their parents’ presence and love, and provide a sense of continuity in the parent-child relationship. The program was established in 2016 and has gained momentum since its inception, receiving support and grant funding from the Department of Social Services (DSS). Through these recordings, children can listen to their parents’ voices, which helps alleviate fears and uncertainties they may harbor about their parents’ incarceration.
Joel Anderson, Interim Director of the South Carolina Department of Corrections, emphasized the program’s significance for the children, as it helps them remember that their parents are still involved in their lives even while in prison. Many inmates express a deep desire to be better parents and to convey their love to their children through this unique opportunity. The program not only helps reinforce familial bonds but also promotes literacy among the children, encouraging a love for reading that can have long-lasting benefits.
The DSS Director, Tony Catone, pointed out that initiatives like Riley’s Readers are part of a broader effort to reunite families and support rehabilitation among incarcerated individuals. The program operates in 21 correctional institutions across the state, indicating a wider-reaching impact on families separated by incarceration.
In light of its recent achievement, leaders of the program have ambitious plans for growth. Anderson expressed aspirations to increase the number of recorded books to 2,000, 3,000, or even 4,000, indicating a continued commitment to expanding access for incarcerated parents and their children. The positive feedback from participants highlights the value of the program, as inmates appreciate the chance to express their love and maintain a connection with their families.
Riley’s Readers aims to offer children reassurance and familiarity with their parents’ voices, providing comfort during challenging periods in their lives. The initiative not only reinforces family ties but also aims to contribute to lower recidivism rates among incarcerated parents, fostering a sense of hope for a more involved future in their children’s lives. By encouraging literacy, family connections, and emotional support, Riley’s Readers stands as a significant program within the correctional system, positively impacting the lives of both parents and their children.
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Additional Resources
- Fox Carolina: Riley’s Readers Surpasses 1,000 Books
- Wikipedia: Parenting
- WSPA: How SC Inmates Connect with Their Children
- Google Search: Impact of Inmates Reading to Children
- WYFF4: Moms Behind Bars Read Bedtime Stories
- Google Scholar: Inmate Rehabilitation Programs
- WIS TV: Riley’s Readers Program
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Literacy
- WSPA: Riley’s Readers Program Overview
- Google News: Correctional Education Programs
Author: HERE Greenwood
GREENWOOD STAFF WRITER The GREENWOOD STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGreenwood.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Greenwood, Greenwood County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Festival of Flowers, Greenwood Community Theatre performances, and agricultural showcases at the Greenwood County Fairgrounds. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Greenwood United Ministry, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as FujiFilm Manufacturing and Self Regional Healthcare. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharleston.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGreenville.com, and HEREHiltonHead.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
