Remain in Touch

Kay Lears describes Remain in Touch, a program that she brought to Benzie County that offers male and female inmates in the Benzie County Jail an opportunity to read books for their children.

Remain in Touch is a program developed in Ann Arbor twenty years ago under which incarcerated parents select books and then read them aloud for their children (aged 0-12 years).  Female facilitators help the inmates select and record the books, and then the books and recordings are sent to the children.

 

Kay says the program has been most rewarding.  It provides a way for the parents to stay in touch with their children and vice versa.  Studies show that prisoners who assume parental roles have lower recidivism rates, and children who are read to regularly by family members experience a boost to their literacy development and eventually do better in school.  To learn more about the local program or to make a donation, check out their website at remainintouch.org.