Last fall, the volunteer organization, RSVP partnered with Texas Cooperative Extension and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to adapt the Fathers Reading Every Day program for use at the Buster Cole State Jail. Known as FRED, the program is designed to encourage fathers to read to their children.
In the fall of 2005, twelve (12) offenders were selected and permitted to participate in a pilot program with RSVP volunteers. Over a 4-week period, the male offenders recorded a variety of children’s books once a week. Books included classic fairy tales, Dr. Seuss stories, and contemporary selections such as Dora the Explorer and Clifford the Big Red Dog.
The audio-recordings and corresponding books were mailed to the offender’s child/children on a weekly basis. This activity allowed participants to remain active in their children lives while in jail, reinforce positive parenting skills, and encourage reading and learning to their child/children.
Offenders were chosen based on a number of factors which included: completing parenting classes while incarcerated, the term of sentencing, as well as good behavior status.
Fathers Reading Every Day allows offenders to reenter the family in a positive way as well as reestablish or maintain contact with their children and custodial parent.
In a post-survey of the participants, the offenders expressed the benefits of participating in the pilot project. Several communicated that the program allowed them to:
Fathers Reading Every Day is a program of Texas Cooperative Extension. The project will continue this fall at Buster Cole State Jail. Persons interested in volunteering for the program must apply by
The program will gladly accept donations of gently used or new children’s books, 90-minutes audio-cassette blank tapes or cash donations.