Detained dads, families visit – LaECI inmates have special day

Little Paris and Silvia Soto made a fashion statement for their special day with Dad. The young girls wore matching yellow dresses June 10th, while father Ronald Martin wore blue – standard issue for inmates at the Lake Erie Correctional Institution.

Martin is serving a 12-year sentence for drug trafficking, but that didn’t stop his family from joining him for a few hours of fun. The occasion was Family Day, a treat for the prisons best-behaved inmates.

Every year, inmates in the prisons merit dormitory enjoy an extended visit with family, a perk for staying out of trouble. Cake, punch, soda pop and pizza were on the menu, while youngsters could enjoy face-painting and arts and crafts.

"Its more informal and less strict than the usual visitation," said Mark Belaney of the LaECI’s public information team. "It gives the inmates a chance to be Dad today."

Martin appreciated the opportunity. "This is very nice," he said.

Daniel Hall, 23, sentenced on a burglary charge, received a visit from kid sister Madelyn Brooks. Hall was participating in his first Family Day event.

"It’s a great idea," he said. "This is much better than a regular visit."

James Skolsky, 34, doing time on an aggravated vehicular homicide charge, used the day to enjoy a leisurely visit with wife Jeanine, who made the trip from Chicago.

"Any time I get to see my wife is a good time," Skolsky said.

Jeanine Skolsky praised the program. "It’s important for the families," she said.

The merit dormitory contains 250 inmates and prison officials estimated 100 relatives would participate in the event, which is split over two days to prevent congestion in the visitation room.

"It started as an incentive for the merit dorm," said Warden Rich Gansheimer. "The guys get a chance to bond with their children."

Family Day is in its fourth year and participation has grown each year, said JoAnn Hoagland, LaECI spokeswoman. Inmates become eligible to live in the merit dormitory if they avoid disciplinary conduct reports for six months and the segregation unit for at least a year, she said.

(Posted 6/16/06)

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