Putnamville facility hosts 'Day with Dad' event

PUTNAMVILLE -- Children of incarcerated fathers spent a "Day with Dad" at the Putnamville Correctional Facility on Saturday, July 30.

Coordinated by case managers James Bennett and Dwaine Short, 51 children and 25 incarcerated fathers engaged in various activities geared toward developing and strengthening the parent-child relationship.

During the day's events, incarcerated fathers read books, played games and interacted one-on-one with their children.

"Our intent is to provide incentive based programs that are designed to give offenders the necessary tools to change destructive behaviors, and, to encourage offenders to utilize the learned skills to break the cycle of family incarceration and recidivism," PCF Supt. Stanley Knight said.

A "Day with Dad" is an annual facility event implemented in 2007 as part of the facility's Inside Out Dads program.

Inside Out Dads is a 12-week program comprised of curriculum developed to teach incarcerated fathers responsible, active parenting and positive communication skills that promote a healthy family relationship between father and child.