TCI inmates make knit hats for donation to Warren Family Mission

Staff report

LEAVITTSBURG

Prisoners at the Trumbull Correctional Institution recently donated 380 knitted hats for the homeless at the Warren Family Mission, the prison announced in a press release.

The project was initiated by Links, an inmate group whose mission is to initiate and develop programs that can help offenders grow toward being productive members of society, said Julie Loomis, public information officer at TCI.

Links has 108 active members who stay busy with various fundraising events. Using donated yarn, 30 offenders spent an average of four hours knitting each hat, Loomis said.

They earned more than 1,300 community-service hours on the project and provided warmth to 380 members of the community, Loomis said.

“Giving offenders the opportunity to give back to the community while providing meaningful activities for those incarcerated is a win-win for TCI and the Warren Family Mission,” said Christopher LaRose, TCI warden.

The Family Mission is funded through donations and provides housing to more than 100 people daily, Loomis added.

Links will expand the program to include more offenders and incorporate blankets, she said.

TCI houses 1,508 Level 1 and Level 3 offenders. Built in 1992, the prison employs more than 355 corrections officers, and staff.