Workshop helps inmate fathers

TARBORO — One of the purposes of prison is to help rehabilitate people back into society.

The Edgecombe County Sheriff Office has teamed up with an organization in Raleigh called the Family Resource Center South Atlantic. The agency has a couple staff members that come to the Edgecombe Detention Center every Friday to talk to inmate fathers about becoming better fathers through its Day 2 Day Dads program.

The program works to improve employment and economic mobility opportunities, foster healthy relationships and strengthen child-family engagement among fathers in Wake, Durham and Edgecombe counties. Eric Owens, a program facilitator for the Day 2 Day Dads program, said the initative is in its third year after receiving a $5 million grant from the National Fatherhood Initiative started by former President Barack Obama.

Owens said this is the first year Edgecombe County has been involved in the 12-week workshop, in which he and fellow program facilitator Cierra McEachern provide fathering skills and talk to inmate fathers about how to connect and re-connect with their children after they’re released from prison.

They also help them learn how to communicate with their children’s mother by learning about co-parenting.

“We’re in our fourth week, and it’s interesting when this group first came through the door, they were skeptical of what is going on,” Owens said. “But when they start sharing stories, the guys’ shields would go down. They realize all of them are going through the issue of being here and their children are at home. They shared their fears of not being able to protect their childen, so they’ve opened up each and every week.”

Despite being locked up, McEachern wants the fathers to understand that they still play a pivotal role in their children’s live.

“This is one job that doesn’t stop no matter your circumstance because they will always be a dad,” McEachern said. “It’s important for them to know they’re needed, valuable and that makes them feel better about themselves. We always tell dads that they must teach their sons how to be men and teach their daughters what men to look for. They must be their child’s role model.”

Capt. Michael Lane, jail administrator at the Edgecombe County Detention Center, said he sits in the back and listens in during the workshops. He sees the positive difference the Day 2 Day Dads program is making on the fathers.

“It’s so heart touching to see those guys initiate and respond to the information,” Lane said. “If you’re a father and got kids at home, imagine how they feel of not being able to do for them. I’ve seen these guys show their emotions. I’m on fire about this program because I see the great job they’re doing. This is going to keep them away from the stuff that caused them to be in here.”

Lt. Debra Stokes, chief detention officer at the Edgecombe County Detention Center, said the success and positive feedback from the inmate fathers going to the program has triggered other fathers to want to be a part of it. Lane said there is a chance there will be another session once this one is completed.

“The word has traveled and others are asking to be apart, and the ones involved say they can’t wait until Friday,” Stokes said. “It gives them something to look forward to when they get on the outside and they have hope now.”

Once they’re released, the men are set up with a job readiness advisor to help them find employment.

“We know when dads come out and they don’t work, they can’t feed their families,” Owens said. “They need that support.”