Mothers In Rogers County Jail Get Chance To Read To Their Children

Jennifer Bilby can't read to her three children in person. Bilby is serving six months at the Rogers County Jail on three different charges.

But, thanks to a new program, her kids will be able to see and hear their mom read them a Scooby-Doo bedtime story.

Here's how it works: inmates record themselves reading a children's book using a video camera. Rogers County Sheriff's deputies then send a copy to the inmate's family, along with the book, so the kids can read along with their mom.

Bilby says she never thought she'd be able to read to her children in jail.

"I'm always happy whenever I get to talk to them," Bilby says of her kids. "My baby looks for me, he doesn't know where I am. But this is good because he can see me whenever I read the books."

There are more than 60 female inmates at the Rogers County Jail, and most of them are mothers and grandmothers. Most of them rarely get to see their children, says Chief Bob Darby.

The jail started the program last week and it's already so popular there's a waiting list to use the camera.

Darby, who runs the jail, says he got the idea from the Department of Corrections.

"It's kind of soothing and relaxing," Darby explains. "You've got a calm voice, so you're not showing that you're in a stressful situation. You're there as a normal person, a normal parent, would be."

Those with child-related criminal charges cannot participate. But for the other women, Darby says, the program reminds them they're still mothers who have children waiting patiently for their releases.

"Sure, some of them have committed some serious stuff, but inside, there's a good person in everybody," Darby says. "You just got to find it."

Bilby says her family doesn't have the means to visit regularly, but now, her children can see her face anytime.

"Any time they want now, all they have to say is, 'Can we watch Mommy?'" she smiles. "It is an amazing thing we get to do here."

If you'd like to donate children's books to the Rogers County Jail, you can drop them off at the Sheriff's Office any day, anytime at 201 S Cherokee Avenue, Claremore, OK 74017.