West Boylston – Highlighting the critical link between incarcerated felons and adolescent criminal behavior, Sheriff Guy Glodis today announced the new “Fathers and Family” Program at the Worcester County Jail and House of Correction. 

“All too often, the children of incarcerated felons suffer the consequences of their parents’ actions, whether that’s through drug abuse, dropping out of school, or becoming a criminal themselves,” Sheriff Glodis stated.  “This new program is focused on breaking that cycle.”

Part of the new Substance abuse Treatment Opportunity Program (STOP), as well as the Almost Home halfway house, the new Fathers and Family Program teaches inmates basic parenting skills, parental responsibility, and communication skills.  More specifically, the program focuses on teaching inmates how to take part in their children’s lives even while incarcerated.  The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office has partnered with Pernet Family Health Services, Inc., a recognized leader among family and social service agencies, in implementing the program. 

Sheriff Glodis receives the Patrice O'Malley Hagan Award from Pernet Family Health Services

According to a 1999 report of the Department of Health and Human Services:

• Girls without a father in their life are two and a half times as likely to get pregnant during teen years, and 53 percent more likely to commit suicide.

• Boys without a father in their life are 63 percent more likely to run away and 37 percent more likely to abuse drugs.

• Both girls and boys are twice as likely to drop out of high school, twice as likely to end up in jail and nearly four times as likely to need help for emotional or behavioral problems.

Ms. Sheilah Dooley, Executive Director of Pernet Family Health Services, cited the need for this program in a correctional environment: “Sheriff Guy Glodis sees the connection between improving parenting and decreasing recidivism.  With his help and the help of his staff, a successful fathers program has begun at the Worcester County Jail and House of Correction and the Almost Home Program on the campus.”

Pernet Family Health Services honored Sheriff Glodis with the Patrice O’Malley Hagan Award at a ceremony held Wednesday, Oct. 18^th  at Worcester’s Crowne Plaza hotel.