Three families treasure the gift of holiday togetherness at York County Jail

ALFRED, Maine – One little boy’s hand was clasped in his father’s big hand, one little girl grinned at her dad after some initial hesitation, two mothers wept upon seeing their sons in person for the first time in months.

Family life can be difficult to maintain when a loved one is in jail, awaiting trial. Time passes without in-person contact – without a shared smile, without the chance to throw a ball around, without the opportunity to giggle and eat cupcakes together and hug.

For three pre-trial inmates and their loved ones, all those things became possible on a recent weekend, when the folks at York County Jail teamed up with Volunteers of America to offer the precious gift of time spent together.

For two hours on a recent Saturday, families were able to talk and laugh and be together, in person.

It had been a while.

Michelle Green’s husband Ralph has been in jail since the summer. She said the news that the family would be able to get together came as a surprise.

“The kids are super excited,” she said of their three children just before her husband joined them in the gym at York County Jail.

There were smiles from the two older children when they saw their father. Initially, the 5 year old held back, but later, grins emerged.

The jail gym was set up with three distinct seating areas where the families would gather – to talk, hug, have a snack and just be together. York County Sheriff William L. King Jr., Jail Administrator Lori Marks, and VOA Senior Parent Resource Navigator Tina Kenney were there, seated away from the families but on hand if needed.

“This is amazing,” said Ralph Green as he sat with his family.

“It’s a big moment,” said Brad Ross, as he saw his son and his mother for the first time in six months.

The mother of the third inmate, Noah Jorge, wept when she saw her son.

“Individuals don’t go to jail,” said King, “Families go to jail, and the children should be able to interact with their parent upon occasion.”

To be eligible to participate, King said inmates must not be prohibited from interacting with their children, and must be free of disciplinary infractions for the past two months.

It was a family Christmas party, similar to others held at the jail in the past – two years ago, eligible women inmates were able to spend time with their families.

“It’s a way folks can stay connected,” said Kenney. She said the VOA’s parent resource navigators help families build skills, provide support and connections with other agencies and more, to help set the inmate and their families on a path for success.

“Incarcerated parents can plan for reentry and on rebuilding relationships with their families, she said.

There were gifts, secured by VOA through the Portland Press Herald Toy Fund, not only for these three families, but for 25 families altogether, including 45 children.

“We try to ensure inmates maintain a natural connection with their families,” said King. “This is a good way to do that.”

Ralph Green put it this way:

“This is really, really big,” he said.