MANSFIELD — Christmas came early at the Richland Correctional Institution this year.
The building was full of holiday cheer on Sunday afternoon as members of the reintegration unit at Richland Correctional Institution (RiCI) visited with family and friends, and opened Christmas presents. Only 240 offenders out of the RiCI population of nearly 2,600 are members of this rigorous unit.
Holiday visits for the family and children of offenders at RiCI took place on two dates – Dec. 16, and Sunday. Prior to these dates, offenders were able to purchase gifts to present to their families.
“We’re thankful we’re given this opportunity,” said Charles, an offender visiting with his five children. “Family is everything.”
At a table strewn with gifts of Paw Patrol slippers, Frozen art kits and sour candies, Charles appreciates these precious moments with his children. When he first arrived at RiCI, his 12-year-old daughter was still four months away from being born.
“This reinforces our value system to love one another, and just enjoy each other, he said.
According to unit manager Kendra Knapp, the holiday gift-giving program has taken place the past five years as a way to help the offenders at RiCI build relationships with their families. Events like Sunday are a reward for the offenders participating in various programming as part of the reintegration unit.
“The holidays can be lonely. Guys being locked up for so long that don’t actually have day-to-day contact with their family, this helps them make it through the holidays and feel a part of their family,” Knapp said. “When their little kids open the presents, you see the guys’ faces light up.”
The offenders in the room on Sunday did not take the opportunity for granted.
“There are a lot of people that don’t get a chance to even get visits, and a lot of people don’t have family anymore,” said Richard, an offender visiting with an old friend – in fact, a former prom date.
“For the people who do have family, to get a chance to show their love and support, that’s a good thing. It’s as close to being with that person on the holiday as you can get.”
