Women’s Honor Farm donates handcrafted teddy bears
–The Women’s Honor Farm in collaboration with Restorative Partners presented more than 75 handcrafted teddy bears made by the inmates to representatives of the Get On the Bus Program.
Get On the Bus advocates for the right of children to see, touch and talk to their parent who is incarcerated. Get On the Bus brings children and their guardians/parents from throughout the state of California to visit their mothers and fathers in prison. An annual event, Get on the Bus offers free transportation for the children and caregivers to the prison, and provides a way to stay connected with their parent after the visit – all at no cost to the children’s family. Central Coast Get on the Bus reunites children with their incarcerated fathers at the California Men’s Colony in San Luis Obispo. That event will take place on May 20.
This is the fourth year the Women’s Honor Farm has donated teddy bears to this event. This year’s teddy bears are made from flannel for extra soft cuddle time and will be waiting for the children on the bus after their visit as a special way of remembering their special day. For some of these children, it will be the only time they visit their father for the whole year.
Restorative Justice is a program based on the practice that equates a crime committed with a debt repaid. In the past decade Restorative Justice Programs, which promote rehabilitation and reparative activities like sewing and gardening have emerged in jails and prisons across America.
“Making these adorable teddy bears for a child who has a parent in prison really struck a personal note with many of the female inmates. In addition to learning new skills, they are learning what it feels like to be a value to society by giving back,” said Senior Correctional Deputy Lisa Piotrowski.
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