Program lets incarcerated moms read books to kids

Program lets incarcerated moms read books to kids

By By Keri Lunt Stevens, Associated Press

January 3rd, 2015 @ 9:27am

Ian Maule/AP Photo/The Daily Herald

PROVO (AP) In the middle of the room, Rainey Bridges' face brightens as she suppresses a laugh. On her right, Sasha Foltz reads a story about a farmer whose animals go on strike.

Dressed in maroon jumpsuits, the women take turns reading books about the adventures of a brown rabbit, a family of Berenstain Bears and a pig that eats a pancake. For 45 minutes, they read and giggle, feeding off each other's energy.

The two are best friends, both recording their voices reading books to boys they love. Underneath their laughter, though, they each carry a weight. In addition to missing the big things, being in prison means they're missing out on the little things like reading bedtime stories to the ones they love.

"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 at United Way of Utah County. "That bond that is created when you read; your child is missing that when mom is in prison."

That is why United Way has partnered with the Timpanogos Women's Correctional Facility to host a monthly Bedtime Stories Program, a program designed to connect inmates with their families.

"When you meet the inmates and see them tear up and cry while reading these stories, you see they are just normal people," said Stephanie Anderson, a coordinator at United Way. "Yes, they are paying their debts to society and they should be but their kids shouldn't be."

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Program lets incarcerated moms read books to kids