One of Dr. Garlington's most impactful projects is the "Reading Between the Bars" Program. It involved the donation of over 50 recordable books ("All the Ways I Love You" - a Hallmark book, and "If" - by Frank Boylan) to the Garner Correctional Institution. These donated books were raised via responses to the e-mails from Dr. Garlington to churches and civic organizations - written in his cell, and collected/distributed by his "team."

 

The books were then distributed to inmates during Christmas 2011 and Father's Day 2012. The inmates were chosen by a very stringent selection process which included exemplary behavior and an interest in furthering their education during the past year. Obtaining approval for the use of "recordable" books was not an easy task as the Department of Corrections has a rigid rule prohibiting recording devices in their facilities.

 

The books are part of a reading program for the incarcerated father and his child(ren) and is designed to help enhance father-child bonding. The father records his voice on the recordable book (under the direction of a trained Social Worker) and then gifts the book to his child(ren).

 

The overall goal of this program is to:

1. Encourage and reward positive behaviors of the incarcerated.

2. Encourage an early appreciation for books and reading by the inmate's child(ren).

3. Strengthen the father-child(ren) bond by extending the father's voice/connection beyond the prison walls.

4. Provide a structured format allowing the father to clearly articulate his love for his child(ren).

5. Enhance the self-esteem of the inmate's child(ren) by hearing the father's love clearly articulated.

6. Increase the probability of successful rehabilitation via the motivation of an enhanced family bond.

 

This program has been lauded by all of the incarcerated participants, their children, as well as the Warden and Deputy Warden of Garner Correctional Facility.