Jacksonville inmates sew teddy bears for children in need

JACKSONVILLE Fla WSVN Inside Columbia Correctional Institution in Jacksonville inmates are involved in a unique project to craft teddy bears for children The activity is a textile workshop at the institution that gave inmates new job skills as well as a chance to give back to the neighborhood For Jonathan Tucker an inmate at the facility it was a way to do something meaningful beyond the prison walls Definitely a good opportunity because I get to make a change in other people s lives explained Tucker Tucker explained how the creation of new bears works Once you get the pattern traced out I cut it out and then that s when the creation starts stated Tucker Another inmate sewedthe outer coat and a third stuffs it This is the backside of the bear and this is the front side announced Tucker Normally the inmates sewed uniforms bedding and linens but staff needed to broaden their skill set before release creating the teddy bear sewing scheme The plan was spearheaded by Assistant Warden of Programs Krissy Stanford But also through making a teddy bears is kind of broken down several walls and has opened up the communication where they re talking more about their families and their kids and experiences that they ve had and it s just it s been a wonderful effort all the way around declared Stanford The goal of the project is to put teddy bears inside the Lake City Police Department s patrol carts so officers can give them to children during traumatic calls That s what motivates me because I m putting smiles on other people faces and I m giving that opportunity noted Tucker