Local jails and prisons seek to bring holiday cheer to inmates

By Charles Christian

Local jails and prisons are doing their best to bring a little cheer this holiday season.

Being away from home is never easy, especially when someone is away from home because of a prison or jail sentence.

So, jail staff said they do the best they can for those incarcerated during the holidays, both for prisoner morale and for staff safety.

Longtime officer Lieutenant Joe Lysaght with the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office, who helps oversee the Buchanan County jail, said that even small gestures during the holidays can make a difference for an inmate.

“Christmas holidays can be very tough for prisoners,” Lysaght said. “While there aren’t a lot of things we can do, we can and do provide a Christmas meal for them each year.”

According to Lysaght, this annual meal, complete with turkey, potatoes, green beans and cake, becomes something the inmates look forward to and something they talk about even after the holidays.

“We also have kiosks that inmates can use to have video conferences with their families,” Lysaght said. “This boosts morale both for the inmates and for their family members, especially if they have children.”

Volunteers from Green Valley Baptist Church also provide annual treat bags for all the inmates and have been doing so for many years.

In addition to being a morale boost for the inmates, Lysaght said it is also an important safety consideration for the staff.

When inmates can focus on something special to look forward to, they are less likely to take out frustration about being away from family during the holidays on jail staff.

“We are not here to simply make inmates happy,” Lysaght said, “but if they have something special to look forward to, it does help them see us differently, and it does keep their focus more on positive things.”

He said they also try to allow inmates a bit of extra time on the phones or video conference with their families during the holidays.

Crossroads Correctional Center is a local maximum security prison that houses more than 1,000 men.

Matt Mason, a chaplain at Crossroads, said that because most of the offenders are long-term residents, special programs are added this time of year to help cheer everyone up.

Events at Crossroads have included appearances by celebrities like Dog the Bounty Hunter, along with famous musicians and race car drivers.

“When we bring programs or concerts in, it builds morale,” Mason said. “There is usually a calming effect for at least 60 to 90 days. It also brings the morale up for the staff, and it takes away the ‘us vs. them’ mentality.”

Mason added that it also shows the inmates that there is a coordinated effort to recognize the feelings of isolation, frustration and loneliness that are multiplied during the holiday season.

Both Lysaght and Mason said that those who have family members in jail or prison over the holidays should send letters frequently, especially during the holidays. In most facilities, emails can be sent, as well.

Visiting hours differ among institutions, so visitations should be coordinated by calling the jail or prison. Visitors also should check the facility’s website for times and regulations for the visits.

Both Lysaght and Mason also said that facilities do provide extra counseling staff during the holidays as a resource for inmates.

Ultimately, extra family time, special meals and special events can help boost inmate and staff morale, while also helping to create a safer prison environment for all.