They may still have three years left in their prison sentences, but inmates at the U.S. Penitentiary in Leavenworth were visited Thursday by probation officers.
The U.S. probation officers were visiting USP as part of a partnership with the prison to help inmates prepare for their release.
“Because eventually they’re all going to be reintegrated into the community,” said Chi King, senior U.S. probation officer for the Western District of Missouri.
The probation officers stopped by a meeting of the Community Relations Board Thursday at the USP.
King and the other U.S. probation officers from Missouri and Kansas visited with inmates who are 36 months away from being released. They’ll return next week to meet with inmates who have 18 months left.
Katie J. Meister, U.S. probation officer for the Western District of Missouri, said the goal is for offenders to make good use of their time in prison.
Associate Warden John Shook said the probation officers met with more than 300 inmates.
During the Community Relations Board meeting, Shook also discussed a program that he said gives inmates the opportunity to provide community service and bring smiles to children’s faces.
Inmates have started making multi-colored hats for children in hospitals in partnership with a program called Happy Hats for Kids.
He said some of the hats are designed for specific events such as Halloween or Independence Day.
“The materials are donated,” he said.
Shook said the hats are put together by inmates involved in a program at the prison called Life Connections.
“The men are excited about the project because it is an opportunity for them to give back,” he said.
The first set of hats made by the USP inmates were sent to the Happy Hats for Kids to make sure they met quality requirements.
He said the second batch of hats will be given to hospitalized children in the area.
Leavenworth, Kan. —
