Gibson County Jail holds first parenting class for inmates
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TRENTON, Tenn. — A new initiative kicked off Thursday in Gibson County as the new sheriff tries to lower his 83 percent recidivism rate at the jail. Seven inmates sat, listened and learned during the first parenting class for inmates. “They’re being taught how to nurture their kids, how to communicate with their kids, just how to be parents,” Sheriff Paul Thomas said. “Some just don’t know how.” Thomas said the six-week course is the first of many to come. It is being taught by members of the Exchange Club-Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse and includes a class on dealing with emotions. “I’m ready to get in touch with my emotional side,” inmate Thomas Patterson said. “It’s something I’ve never been really able to do before.” Sheriff Thomas said he hopes when these inmates get released they will remember what they learned in class and not make the same mistake again. “Hopefully long term, we’ll see fewer people coming back and more of these men and woman becoming active in their children’s lives,” Thomas said. “Hopefully they’ll become better parents and productive citizens.” Patterson has three children and will be at the Gibson County Correctional Center until late 2015. He said he is grateful for this opportunity. “It’s just things that we wouldn’t normally get if we were out,” Patterson said. “Now we can take the time and make ourselves better.” Thomas said in the weeks ahead they also will implement GED and substance abuse programs. “I’ve got men back here that have no idea how to tie a neck tie, don’t know how to go to a job interview, and these are things we can teach them,” Thomas said. The classes are not costing tax payers a dime because the teachers all are volunteers, Thomas said.
