Inmates' Crocheted Creations Given To Needy Kids

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - Inmates are making a difference and helping Santa even though they're behind bars.

A new program is letting inmates make gifts for kids in need. Santa has elves everywhere, even behind bars.

"The inmates were able to knit 700 pieces," said Diane Shepherd, CEO of Correctional Workers Who Care.

Kids in the Meadowview community not only get breakfast and a wrapped toy, they also get to pick a scarf or a beanie made by an inmate at Folsom State Prison.

"It has my favorite colors on it," said a child.

In need of yarn to make this possible, we did a story about the need for donations. And after our story aired, "Tons of yarn. Boxes and boxes and boxes started pouring in," said Shepherd.

For the inmates, it makes their time served mean something as they put love and care into the crocheting of the scarves and beanies. And you can tell by how well they turned out.

"Some of the pieces look like things you would get from Nordstrom or Macy's. Very nice pieces," said Shepherd.

For the kids who are blessed by a stranger's gift, they seem proud to show off the inmates' work.

"I'm going to wear it everywhere I go," said one child.

Next year they plan to start as early as August because of the overwhelming response to the inmates' work. The inmates aren't able to watch as the kids get their gifts, but they will get to watch this video to see how happy they've made them.

More Stories