Rutherford County Sheriff’s RIOT program calls for community donations to aid inmates' children
Lt. Joseph McComas had been personally funding supplies and is now seeking public support for the upcoming school year.
The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) is showing its commitment to community and family with the continuation of its innovative Reading Impact Opportunity Team (RIOT) program. Spearheaded by Lieutenant Joseph McComas, the initiative aims to support incarcerated parents in maintaining meaningful connections with their children, providing essential back-to-school supplies, and fostering a sense of normalcy and care during difficult times. I spoke with Lt. McComas about the program this week.
“The RIOT program continues with its goals to promote healing, care, and growth,” said Lt. McComas. “Creating conditions for child-parent visits, keeping these goals in mind is something we are passionate about.” They are currently accepting the following supplies: Pencils, pens, paper, folders, binders, backpacks, highlighters, crayons, markers, glue, tape, calculators, notebooks, erasers, rulers, sharpies, composition books, scissors, and more.
Lt. McComas shared that the program, which he initiated a few years ago, began as a reading initiative allowing inmates to record bedtime stories for their children. “I kind of mimicked that off of a program I used when I was overseas (in the military),” McComas said. “I can relate to being away from family and not having opportunities to be with them. We’re trying to create options, make options available.”
The RIOT program is not just about providing material support but also about facilitating emotional connections. Inmates selected to participate in the program, based on behavior and engagement criteria determined by detention center officers, will have the opportunity to prepare school supplies with their children. This initiative helps reinforce the bond between parent and child, even in challenging circumstances.
“When a parent goes to jail, the entire family, in a sense, goes to jail,” McComas said. “We aim to give them opportunities to spend time with their children even though they’re incarcerated. We want to ensure that when a child sees their parent it’s not like they haven’t seen them in years.”
To ensure the safety of all participants, all donated supplies are thoroughly screened. Lt. McComas detailed the rigorous process. “Anything given to inmates is checked before it’s given to them. If there’s any question about an item, it’s not given to them. We put everything on a table that they can use, and all that stuff is looked at,” he said.
RIOT last held an Easter event, with photos and details available on its dedicated Facebook page, separate from the RCSO. Before then, “every bit” of the supplies were “100% out of my pocket,” he said.
Community members are encouraged to drop off donations at the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., according to the release. Supplies will be accepted until August 7 and extra supplies left over will be distributed to children in the community. For more information or questions call 828-447-6770.
The RIOT program will culminate in a special event on August 8, where inmates and their children will come together to prepare for the new school year. They will fill backpacks with essential supplies and create keepsakes like bracelets and artwork. “It gives them the opportunity to do this process together,” McComas said. “It’s about creating memories and ensuring that children feel their parents’ love and support, even from a distance.”
Lt. McComas’s vision for the program is clear: to provide hope and connection for families during trying times, ensuring that children feel supported and loved, and parents maintain a meaningful presence in their lives.
As Rutherford County gears up for the new school year, the RIOT program stands as a testament to the power of community and the enduring bonds of family.
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