Wednesday, May 15, 2024

Oklahoma Messages Project Connects Incarcerated Parents With Their Children

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (KFOR) – Not everybody can spend the vacations with our household particularly given the late December climate situations, however for a lot of Oklahomans there’s something a lot better that’s conserving them from their family members.  Despite that separation,  the Oklahoma Messages Project is connecting incarcerated mother and father with their kids.

“This is my mom,” ten 12 months outdated Casen stated.  “At the visits we play games like board games. Every two weeks.”

That is how lengthy Casen waits in between these visits. They final about 4 hours.

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“I’d rather spend the whole day with her,” he stated.

They won’t ever be lengthy sufficient, however that’s on a regular basis the Department of Corrections permits guests. Casen saves up tales and tales of fifth grade for these 4 quick however valuable hours.

“We talk,” he stated. “That one of my teeth was loose.”

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But he isn’t the one storyteller. Just as his mom anxiously awaits Casen’s arrival and the tales it brings, Casen additionally waits patiently for his mom’s tales – within the mail.

“Happy,” he stated. “ It helps me a lot, and it makes me really glad that she sends it.”

Storybooks. His mom’s face and voiced are recorded only for him. She reads.

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“I follow along,” Casen stated.

“I’m going to be reading this to my son,” Lori Jobe stated. “His name is Casen Jobe, and I think he’s going to really enjoy reading it with me every night.”

From the within of Mabel Bassett Correctional Center, Lori reads to her youngest son. The Oklahoma Messages Project is made up of educated volunteers who go into jail and document incarcerated mother and father studying, bundle up the books and recorded messages, and ship them to their kids. This batch made it simply in time for Christmas.

“When I see them cry I just start crying along with them,” volunteer Julie Cox stated.

What began as a pilot program in 2011 has now served hundreds of Oklahoma youngsters who’re separated from their mother and father by a jail sentence.

WHAT STARTED AS A PILOT PROGRAM IN 2011…

“The DOC said we’ve got to see if there’s any impact from this,” Oklahoma Messages Project Executive Director Cheri Fuller stated.”They simply referred to as me and stated you may go in any jail you need.”

Oklahoma has one of many highest charges of feminine incarceration.”

“It just means the world to the kids,” Fuller stated. “’ve been in there homes and seen their little faces light up, because this is the first time they’ve seen mom. I’ve seen them kiss the screen.”

“We get to get personal with our kids, and it’s good for my kids,” Lori Jobe stated. “My youngest replays it all the time, because we pray together on here.”

They learn, join, and bond, as a result of there is no such thing as a love like a mom’s love.

“I love you. I miss you,” Casen stated.

Oklahoma Messages Project is a non-profit. For extra information go to:  Ok Messages Project |.

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