New York, November 28, 2024
Photo: theocpm.org
A unique program is helping incarcerated parents maintain bonds with their children through the power of storytelling. Storybook Connections™, an initiative by Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry (OCPM), allows parents behind bars to record themselves reading children’s books that are then sent to their own children.
With over 1.4 million American children having an incarcerated parent, the program aims to bridge the painful gap created by imprisonment. Volunteers visit jails to record parents reading selected children’s books, which are then sent along with digital recordings to their children at home, OCPM explains.
“For possibly the first time, these children will hear their own parents reading to them, and you can imagine how powerful of a gift this is,” OCPM writes. The impact can be profound, as illustrated by the Springer family’s experience. When Sam and Jonathan Springer received an unexpected package containing a storybook and recording of Sam’s incarcerated mother Christy reading to their two-year-old daughter, it created a precious connection despite the physical separation.
The program operates through local church groups who undergo training from OCPM on prison protocols and meaningful interaction with inmates. These volunteer teams coordinate with jail staff for regular recording sessions, using equipment and recommended books provided by OCPM. The recordings are shared securely through password-protected digital files.
Churches or community groups interested in launching Storybook Connections™ in their area can sign up through OCPM, which provides full training and support to establish the program at local facilities. The organization emphasizes that volunteers don’t need prior experience—just a willingness to help maintain vital family bonds strained by incarceration.
Hear the voices of the program:
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