Sheriff Mark Curran is pleased to announce the first group of inmates who participated in the jail program ‘Building Families Together – Fatherhood & Reentry’ successfully graduated.  

Building Families Together is dedicated to providing resources and help rebuild families torn apart by a father’s incarceration, while inspiring the entire family unit to overcome adversities.  

The classes were held once a week for 12 weeks.  Each session was two hours long and incorporates lessons on fatherhood, manhood, and reentry.  The class instructors consisted of a mental health professional and a male mentor.  Inmate participants were required to be involved and participate in reading assignments, writing assignments, discussion, critical thinking, and actively participate, teaching the participants empowerment skills to be healthy, happy, and successful.  Eight jail inmates successfully participated in this program, and more programs are scheduled for the future.  

The participants requested a keepsake they could have after being released from jail, to remind them of what they learned during the program.  Building Families Together minted a challenge coin for the eight inmates.  The inmates will be provided the coin with their property when they are released from the jail.  

Sheriff Mark Curran said, “We offer programming and reentry classes to all of our inmates.  We do this in an effort to reduce recidivism by utilizing cognitive behavior therapy, identifying risky behaviors, and linking inmates with resources they need to successful reentry into the community.”

More information about ‘Building Families Together’ can be found at: https://buildingfamiliestogether.org/