Finding Comfort and Joy
CCA inmates find ways to celebrate the holidays, too
For some, a gift under the tree in the form of a letter would pale in comparison to the other brightly wrapped presents and tissue paper-stuffed gift bags.
But for families with an incarcerated loved one, that simple holiday card is a precious connection to the family member absent from gatherings and festivities. Most often, CCA facility staff or local volunteers donate holiday cards to inmates so that they can send holiday greetings and messages to their friends and family at home.
“We have had inmates tell us that when their loved ones opened the letter on Christmas morning, all the activity of opening presents just stopped,” says Vickie Scrivner, chaplain at Leavenworth Detention Center in Kansas.
Some families have even framed their letter and display it every Christmas.
“It's a way for the family to feel that their incarcerated loved one is with them, if only in their hearts,” says Scrivner.
But holiday cards represent only a small portion of the overall outreach CCA facilities offer to inmates during the holiday season.
A Hopeful Holiday
Recognizing the sense of loneliness and disconnection experienced by inmates during a traditionally joyous time of year, CCA staff members strive to provide a meaningful holiday experience for inmates.
“All the activities and efforts from facility staff remind the inmates that there is hope,” says Tim O’Dell, CCA director, Chaplaincy and Developmental Programs. “At this is the time of year, inmates feel the most isolated, especially when thinking of family and friends celebrating without them. Facilities offer programs and activities to the inmates because it brings calmness and worth to the incarcerated soul.”
While every CCA facility treats inmates to a special holiday meal during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday weeks, most CCA facilities also share common holiday outreach activities, such as holiday cards, special religious services, caroling throughout the facility, soda and candy bar treats, and inmate goodie bags.
At T. Don Hutto Residential Center in Texas, facility staff plan to go Christmas caroling to all the dorms, first in Spanish, then the next day in Chinese.
“The activities we plan for inmates, whether a meal or a special event, can create an opportunity for people to feel good about themselves, to laugh and smile, and to show concern for others,” explains John Baxter, CCA director, Mental Health.
The More the Merrier
Several CCA facilities have created a range of programs and activities to encourage inmate participation and inclusivity – catering to varying religious backgrounds, talents and personal interests.
In Florida, Graceville Correctional Facility’s inmate choir, led by an inmate director, will perform a special holiday cantata for inmates, staff and facility volunteers. The choir began practicing for the event in September.
“They are especially motivated this year because they are singing for our volunteers as a special thank you for their commitment here every day,” explains chaplain David Hendricks.
Graceville's faith-based dorm is hosting a Christmas talent show. “We have so much talent participating in all our activities,” says unit manager Tracy Price.
Inmates have been preparing for the talent show since October. Acts are expected to perform country, comedy, rap and poetry readings. A local church choir will also perform for the entire facility in December.
Cimarron Correctional Facility in Oklahoma offers special "Hope for the Holiday" services hosted by volunteers from Grace Ministries. Attendees receive a gift bag.
Separately, the facility also provides goodie bags to all inmates. “The gift bags are small, but are seen as a present to the inmates,” says Arthur Fox, chaplain. “They know it comes with love, and that’s what matters most.”
West Tennessee Detention Facility will be calling on inmates to help brighten the holiday season through talent shows. Additionally, each housing unit has been provided decorations to deck the halls. The winning unit will receive a movie night and special dinner.
Inmates can participate, individually, in a drawing contest. The facility also offers a special bingo night and provides goodie bags.
“Our gift bags include mostly hygiene items, cards to send family, a note pad and pen,” explains John Marr, chaplain. “It something small, but the message is that someone is willing to give to them, no matter what.”
For seven years, staff members at Lee Adjustment Center in Kentucky have been providing a Christmas stocking full of goodies for the children and grandchildren of inmates.
“It’s nice to watch a resident give his grandchild or child a gift in visitation and see the child’s eyes light up,” says John Brunelle, chaplain. “It’s a popular program with staff and residents.”
Receiving through Giving
Staff and inmates equally seem to benefit from a festive facility atmosphere.
Chaplain Marr agrees. “I love to have inmates stop by my office and ask, ‘Hey Chaplain, you got anything planned for us?’ They love it. It is exciting for both inmates and staff,” he says.
“Inmates are walking around singing Christmas carols and smiling,” says Linda Brock, chaplain at McRae Correctional Facility in Georgia. “Who in the world would have thought you would see this in a prison setting?”
“I think our staff care and show compassion because we see the humanity in the inmates we work with every day,” explains Baxter. “We recognize the same basic human needs and hopes in them that we see in ourselves.”