On Monday, August 19th, the New York City Department of Correction (DOC) hosted a heartwarming Back-to-School event at the Rose M. Singer Center (RMSC) on Rikers Island. This special Community Engagement Day was designed to bring families together, providing mothers in custody the opportunity to spend quality time with their children as they prepared for the upcoming school year. The event featured games, face painting, dancing, and other activities, culminating in the distribution of backpacks filled with school supplies for the children.
This event was organized by the DOC’s Division of Programs and Community Partnerships, The division strategically collaborates with community partners, including city agencies, non-profits, and volunteers, to bring a variety of programs to DOC facilities. These initiatives are part of a broader effort to improve the lives of persons in custody and their families, reinforcing the DOC’s commitment to leading with kindness and support.
Program Coordinator Joy Swinton highlighted the significance of such events, noting, “Events like the Back-to-School Family Days are important to normalize the family aspect for incarcerated individuals and their family members. Being able to create the memory of receiving school supplies from their parents, grandparents, aunts, and sisters is important to help create positivity in the minds of those children regardless of their loved one’s incarceration status.” The event was made possible with the collaboration of several organizations, including Hour Children, Inc., Osborne, and the Women’s Community Justice Association.
The Back-to-School event is a clear example of the DOC’s ongoing efforts to support persons in custody and their families, building on the principles outlined by Commissioner Lynelle Maginley-Liddie. In her initiatives, Maginley-Liddie has emphasized the importance of kindness and support in the DOC’s approach to corrections, ensuring that individuals are treated with dignity and respect. This philosophy is reflected in the wide range of programs offered by the DOC, aimed at fostering positive relationships between persons in custody and their families and preparing them for successful reintegration into society.
The division of Programs and Community Partnerships continues to play a crucial role in these efforts, working tirelessly to bring meaningful engagement opportunities to the individuals in their care. The Back-to-School event is just one of many initiatives that demonstrate the DOC’s commitment to leading with compassion and supporting the well-being of both persons in custody and their families.
