Dozens of children will visit with their fathers on Soledad Prison

About 400 children from all over the state will arrive in Soledad to visit with their fathers on Father's Day. The children come mostly from low-income families, and many don't have frequent opportunities to see their fathers.

The Center for Restorative Justice Works is partnering with twenty-two parishes and nine schools in the Diocese of Monterey, along with various other faith communities to bring hundreds of children to visit their fathers in prison at Correctional Training Facility and Salinas Valley State Prison.

Called "Get on the Bus," the event bring eleven buses filled with more than 400 children and their caregiver from San Diego, San Bernardino, Riverside, Los Angeles, Central Valley, Sacramento, Oakland, San Francisco, Santa Rosa.

Approximately 200,000 children in California have an incarcerated parent and live with relatives. Most parents in California prisons are incarcerated more than 100 miles away from their children. Regular visitation helps to decrease the negative impacts of parental incarceration on the children. For many of these children, this is the only time during the year that they will see their father.”

Approximately 200,000 children in California have an incarcerated parent and live with relatives or are in foster care, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Staying connected to their children is just as important for incarcerated mothers and fathers as it is for the kids; research indicates it’s the greatest indicator for a successful re-entry upon release.

Happy father's day, everyone! Enjoy your visit.