Men’s Central Jail Visiting Center Unveils New Children’s Library

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department – Men’s Central Jail recently partnered with Gordon Philanthropies who donated a reading area for children of incarcerated fathers. This reading area will allow incarcerated fathers at Men’s Central to bond with their children through literacy.

On Sept. 19, Sheriff Luna and Inmate Services Bureau, Captain Vander Horck along with the founder of Gordon Philanthropies, Daniel Gordon, inaugurated the first-ever children’s library at Men’s Central Jail.

Gordon Philanthropies is a nonprofit organization who is committed to encouraging the value of literacy and education, as well as the accessibility of these tools regardless of the socioeconomic status or race of a child. This organization believes reading should not be thought of as a privilege but a basic human right.

Men’s Central Jail has always been a cold and sometimes even sad place for children, they see fathers and other family members behind bars without the ability to bond or connect with them. In partnership with Gordon Philanthropies, LASD hopes to make Men’s Central Jail visiting area a warm and inviting place for children. This reading area can be the beginning of newly formed bonds of children and their family members, despite their hard circumstances they may be experiencing.

“This library is a place where children can find comfort, strengthen their bonds with their loved ones and most importantly maintain a sense of normality during the most difficult times. Through books, games and the power of storytelling we hope to encourage reading, inspire resilience, and prompt a brighter future for the young children,” said Sheriff Luna.