That familiar voice
Program helps incarcerated women stay in touch
Jodi Vincent valued the time she spent with her young daughter.
It was one of the things she missed most while serving time at Nova Institution for Women.
But a program run by the Elizabeth Fry Society provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen their bond.
Through the read-aloud program, Vincent could be recorded reading books, and add a personal message, that was sent to her daughter, a preschooler living in Saint John, N.B.
“It meant a lot to me because there was no other means for me to get in touch with her,” said Vincent. “After reading the books I could add a small message, like ‘Mum loves you.’ Just knowing she could hear my voice was important.”
The Elizabeth Fry Society of Saint John brings books to the prison and allows women to choose three from which they can read. Recordings are made for children, grandchildren or any other young people they have a close relationship with. A copy of the books is also sent to the children.
“Once I was able to be with my daughter again, she recognized my voice,” said Vincent.
Judy Murphy, executive director with the Elizabeth Fry Society of Saint John, said the
program has been growing in popularity, with visits every two months. There were 20 women who took part when they visited in March.
“It’s important to continue nurturing and bonding for the women and the children,” she said. “The children have recordings they can listen to any time they want, and if they visit it gives them a way in to talk. It helps enrich that connection.”
The program ran from 2000 to 2014, but then Corrections Canada changed the process for
applying to go into prisons to do work. It was November 2017 before the reading program resumed.
“Because it’s a federal prison, the books and recordings go across the country,” said Murphy.
She noted they’re now waiting to hear if the program has been renewed through the Corrections Canada budget.
Vincent left Nova Institution in 2012, and now has custody of her daughter, who is eight, and enrolled in a French immersion
program at school.
“I still read with her,” she said. “She has to read from both English and French books each night. I took French immersion in school so I’m able to help her. I think the read aloud program boosted her reading skills.
“There are still ups and downs, but I’m not using drugs now and life is much better. Just because we did things that were bad doesn’t mean we can’t change.”