It’s hard to go Christmas shopping when you’re in jail.
However, thanks to the jail chaplaincy and local community groups, for the last 14 years parents serving time in the Provincial Correctional Centre have been getting a hand with gifts for their children.
Scott MacIsaac, the jail’s chaplain, said for inmates the reality of being a mother or father and in jail hits home at critical times.
Christmas is one of those times, MacIsaac said.
“As you get to know the men and women as a chaplain you know how much they’re hurting.”
Inmates who self-identify as wanting gifts for their children get an application form, and jail management makes sure there are no conflicts, such as no-contact orders.
The presents get to the children before Christmas and are either delivered to their home, picked up at the jail or handed out during open visitation.
There are no strings attached, and inmates don’t need to attend chapel for their kids to get presents.
This year, about 40 children of inmates will get Christmas gifts.
MacIsaac said over the years more than 500 kids have received presents, including some of the same children over multiple Christmases.
“Some of them would have grown up with us in some sad cases that this was the way they maintained their relationship with their mom or their dad.”
Scott MacIsaac
When the presents go out, the children receive a bag of gifts that a few local churches provide with Arie Hoogerbrugge leading the volunteer effort, MacIsaac said.
“There’s never been a problem of getting enough presents,” he said.
For the inmates whose children received presents, MacIsaac said they have been appreciative knowing they wouldn’t be able to give them gifts otherwise.
“It’s, I guess, a relieving of guilt in that sense of the word,” he said.
MacIsaac said even though people like him work with inmates many days of the week, there usually isn’t a clear sign that someone has changed their life.
It’s a privilege to be part of the program that sees a tangible outcome, MacIsaac said.
“What changes happen after that is not in our control.”
MacIsaac said that for the people involved in administering the program there is a sense of purpose being fulfilled.
“If every day could be Christmas this would be a wonderful world,” he said.
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The Guardian’s I Believe series, which will be published both in print and online between now and Christmas, will include inspirational and uplifting stories to get us in the holiday spirit. If you have a story that you believe should be part of the I Believe series, please email [email protected].
Other stories in the I Believe series:
I BELIEVE: No shortage of support for international community on the Island over the holidays
I BELIEVE: Summerside boy has wish granted, spends a week in Los Angeles
I BELIEVE: Musical Christmas lights display up and running in Indian River
I BELIEVE: Christmas together on P.E.I.
I BELIEVE: Boy on P.E.I. bringing joy to children, buying gifts for Islanders in need
