Some of you may have seen my post about the federal prison librarians’ jobs being saved and the message on the topic from the Book Clubs For Inmates program (this link includes a link to where you can donate to support the program, by the way!).
Well, today I’d like to introduce you to another cool literacy program for Canadian inmates: Children of Inmates Reading Program, or ChIRP.
Every month, incarcerated folk get help from volunteers to pick out a book out of the program’s curated list to make a recording of them reading the book aloud to the child(ren) in their lives. The child then gets the recording as well as a copy of the book so that they can read along.
All this is sweet enough as is, but to make things even sweeter, this month, kids in the program will get a little something extra to celebrate the start of summer break.
All inmates will be reading The Very Cranky Bear by Nick Bland, and on top of getting a copy of the book, the kiddos will also receive a teddy bear stuffie!
Programs like these are critical for the mental health of both the children and inmates, as they allow them to bond even though they’re apart, which helps alleviate stress, anxiety, and depression for everyone involved. Based on studies I’ve read in the past, these kinds of programs also work wonders to help reduce the chances of the inmates ending up back in prison, as they’re a great help in easing the transition from prison life back into their families’ lives when they get out.
(Images borrowed from their monthly newsletter)











