Returning Hearts returns

Above, Chris Mabe helps daughter Nikki line up a putt-Photos by Rae Wagoner

For the third year in a row, children of inmates at Western Kentucky Correctional Complex enjoyed a full day of snow cones, pony rides, inflatables and games with their fathers.
“I made some poor decisions when I was 18, and if I get out when I appear before the parole board in 2012, I’ll be 40 when I go home,” Chris Mabe said, as his five-year old daughter Nikki clung close to his side. Mabe is serving a life sentence and transferred to WKCC in April of this year. He had previously been incarcerated at various institutions across the state, and said that the Returning Hearts celebration was “wonderful, but heart-wrenching all at the same time because I know it’s going to have to end. But today, right now, it’s all about her.” Mabe is more fortunate than many inmates, because his children visit every weekend. For some fathers, this special day is the only time they see their children all year because of distance, travel expense and other issues.
Mabe was encouraged to hear that steps have been taken to try and implement the Malachi Dads program, of which Returning Hearts is a part, into other correctional facilities in Kentucky. “I’ve been to Luther Luckett, I’ve been to KSP and Green River, and this is the only place that has such a program – I think it’s excellent, one of the best programs I’ve seen in a correctional facility,” he said. “This is geared toward your kids, whereas most other programs are geared toward you (the inmate), and with that alone it’s worthwhile.” When asked if he had any words of wisdom for fellow inmates, Mabe replied “God bless you.”
While Mabe still has time left to serve, inmate Derrick Ashby is only three to four months away from serving out his sentence and re-entering society. He is looking forward to spending more time with four children, who range in age from fifteen to seven. Ashby, who has been incarcerated for almost thirteen years, graduated from the 12-month Malachi Dads program Friday night, and said he feels blessed to have been part of this program.
“When I came here two years ago, I knew I needed to do something, to get in some program to help me face challenges when I get out. I’m trying to show the kids something different, a different side of the penitentiary and a different side of me and let them know that people do make mistakes, but they can change,” he said. “For me, I’ve always looked at failure as a reason to start over, like riding a bicycle. When you’re learning, you fall down but you get back up and try again. I’m trying everything I know and everything I have learned to be a good father to these children, and a good friend too.”
Ashby said he is doing everything he can to learn about being a good father, and trying to make positive changes in all aspects of his life.
“One thing I do want to say is that of all the institutions I’ve been to, this is the one that has embraced fathers,” Ashby said. “That brings me joy, because the programs they have here allow me to spend all day with my children, not just on days like today but on regular visits too. I was asked to go back to another institution and I declined. If you have to do time, this is a good place to do it if you’re serious about getting yourself together and becoming a motivated father, this is the fuel that you need to help make that happen.”
First time volunteer Jenni Parrent said the day was a real eye-opener for her. “They announced at Campus Outreach (at Murray State University, where she is a student) that they needed volunteers, and I put my plug in because my dad has been volunteering every year since it started, and since I knew it was a great program, I signed up to help.” She admits that being a nineteen year old girl inside the razor-wire fence of a prison was disconcerting, but that seeing the children’s faces made all her fears dissolve. “They lined the dads up on one side of the softball field and the kids on the other side,” she recalled, “and this one little tiny girl – I mean she was so small her T-shirt almost dragged the ground – when they called her dad’s name she screamed ‘Daddeeeeeeeee’ and ran full tilt toward him and just launched herself into his arms. I cried. The next little guy, when his dad’s name was called, stood up and said ‘daddy, get your bus movin’ and come over here and get me!’” Parrent said the inmates were very respectful and appreciative of the volunteers’ efforts and that she will likely volunteer for this event again.
The possibility of spreading the Malachi Dads program is coming about on many fronts. The Department of Corrections has increased its focus on preparing inmates for life after their release date, with the goal of helping better equip those men for life on the outside so they will not return to their previous lifestyle and commit more crimes.
Harrell Riley of Hell is Real Ministries, which brought the 12-month Malachi Dads program to WKCC and Kentucky State Pentitentiary, will speak at the Department of Corrections Re-entry Workshop in November. One of the program’s alumni, Roy Brockett, who participated in last year’s Returning Hearts program, has since transferred to Frankfort Career Development Center where he immediately began a campaign to bring the Malachi Dads program to that institution. Brockett approached the chaplain, spoke to several of his fellow inmates about the program, and was granted the opportunity to speak with the deputy warden and eventually the warden. After an invitation from the warden, Riley went to the institution and made a presentation. Thus far, over fifty men of the 250-capacity at FCDC have expressed interest in the program. Riley’s goal is to make Malachi Dads universal in all of Kentucky’s minimum-security correctional facilities so that inmates can continue and complete the program despite being transferred.
“The department is really focused on re-entry, and this is just one more tool we can give these men to help keep them out of here in the future,” added Warden Bryan Henson. “This November workshop shows a big commitment from the department and state government to really focusing not just housing these guys while they serve time, but helping them become productive members of society when they leave the institutions. We’ll have over 250 DOC staff, everyone from correctional officers up to wardens – every aspect of the re-entry process will be represented and have input into this workshop.”