Reaching out to each other behind the bars

A rare family reunion at Welikade prison demonstrates the importance of family ties

Sandun* passed his G. C. E. O’ Level with 8 As, a brilliant performance that would have made any parent’s heart overflow with pride. But for his father, an inmate of Welikada Prison it was well nigh heartbreaking to see his son walk forward to address the audience at a ceremony held there last Saturday.

“When I was studying for the O/Ls I didn’t know where my father was. It was only after my exam that I was told where he was and why he was there,” Sandun said to all those present. For this young boy, the emotion was too much. He walked back to where he was seated in the front row and fell on to his father’s lap. His muffled sobs were heard even as the next speaker told the audience what a remarkable young man he was.

Still sitting with his parents, later, he said, “I want to be a doctor. I want to serve society, make a difference and lead a good life.” There were many like Sandun’s father present that day, men who had committed some crime for which not only they but their families too were paying a bitter price. Clad in white shorts and shirts, they sat close to their families occasionally reaching out to their children, hugging them close.

Family reunions are rare in prisons. These men are the lucky ones, we were told. Families are usually only allowed to speak to their loved ones through a microphone. That too only during the hours set aside for visits. But last Saturday was different at least for 45 children and their fathers.

Since 2005, around 250 children of prisoners have benefited from a scholarship programme sponsored by ‘Friends of Prisoners’ Children’. The organisation has awarded scholarships on seven occasions so far, but this time the event was more significant, with a pavul hamuwa or family reunion being held.

“This time we had a small group, so we decided to have a little family reunion where the prisoners could sit with their families and even have lunch with them. This never happens here,” said the chairperson of Friends of Prisoners’ Children, Sister Immaculate de Alwis.

“The children are the most affected,” she says. “There is a sense of hopelessness when their father is taken away from their home. Education is the best thing we can give to these children. We want to give them hope.” Explaining the scholarship programme, Sr. Immaculate said the prisoners were encouraged to apply along with details of their children’s education.

Rs. 500 is deposited in an account opened for the child every month and their performance is continuously monitored. The programme, open to children from Grades 6 to 11, was initially limited to children of prisoners on death row or serving a life sentence. However, now any prisoner can apply. The amount also is to be increased and more students are to be sponsored from next year with the help of Rotary Clubs.

The success stories among them, like Sandun’s are many.“What is significant is that these children never blame their fathers. When they write to their sponsors, they say their fathers are innocent and plead with them to help free them,” Sr. Immaculate says.

There are many things in life that we take for granted and among them are love and family ties. The pavul hamuwa at the Welikada prison demonstrated, more than ever their importance.