World Vision will distribute approximately 50,000 backpacks to children in need across the United States for the start of the school year.

August 2007

By James Addis - Advocacy & Communications

Outside, the sky is gray and dismal, a suitable backdrop for the walls and yards of rolled razor wire that keep inmates contained within McNeil Island Corrections Center, in Washington state's Puget Sound.

But inside the large visiting room, the contrast could not be more striking. The atmosphere resembles a rather jolly church social. Excited chatter bursts from dozens of small tables as families gather together for lunch. Children who might not see their fathers for weeks, or sometimes months, squeal with delight and give their dads extended hugs. Each inmate is wearing a t-shirt that says, "I am a proud dad."

Equipping Children With Tools to Learn

The lunch and extended visiting time is part of the center's Family and Fatherhood Program that allows fathers to connect more closely with their families. This is the Back to School event — one of the three big events each year. Today, with a new school year about to start, the theme is education. World Vision will distribute a backpack to each school-aged son or daughter of an inmate — filled with pens, pencils, notebooks, crayons, paper, and paints — to give them a good start.

Jamar, a former inmate at McNeil Island who has since been relocated to Washington State Penitentiary, says the program "means the world" to the incarcerated.

"It's so important that we get the things we need for our children's education," he says.

Jamar went to jail at 16. He is now 26 and still has about eight years to serve of his sentence for second-degree murder.

"I wanted to be an adult too fast," he says, recollecting his early life. "I wanted a nice car, money, and women. I thought anything my parents said was crap."

"I found the easiest way to get what I wanted was on the street and with the gangs. But I did not realize what a price I was going to pay."

Reducing Financial, Parental Burdens

Thinking about his son Trevon, 8, Jamar says he is determined to teach the boy not to make the same mistakes that he has. His appreciation for the school supplies is genuine. He keeps informed about his son's progress at school and has conferences with his teachers on the phone, but regrets the limited time he has with his son to be a guide and mentor.

"I tell Trevon to keep faith in God and pray. If I can't do it for you and your mom can't do it for you, there's one person that can — and that's God."

Meanwhile, the mothers and caregivers of the children express appreciation for the backpacks, as most are facing financial hardship. Maureen, who married Jamar after he was sent to jail, explains her car was wrecked in an accident — putting further strain on their limited resources. Another visitor, Michelle, a great aunt and caregiver to 7-year-old Lane, explains they have a three-hour journey each week to visit Lane's father, Pete. She estimates food and gas for each trip costs about $100.

"Anything that helps out with school expenses is a great help to us," she says.

'A Positive Day'

The children also express their thanks after a little prompting from their dads. Trevon says the pack will be a great place to put his homework.

All too soon, it is time to go. There's a final parting hug and kiss before the children file out into the foyer, picking up their backpacks and some candy to eat on the 20-minute ferry ride back to the mainland. Alas, the departure provides a sober reminder of the other side of prison life.

But Lori, mother of two whose husband is an inmate at the facility, expresses her delight at the way the day has gone on the ferry ride home.

"I like to put positive things in my children's lives," she says, "and today was a positive day for them."