Kirk Hernandez Jr., center, an inmate at Larch Corrections Center, takes a turn around the dance floor during a slow song with his daughter, Eternity, 5, on Saturday during the prison's father-daughter dance. (Photos by Amanda Cowan/The Columbian)Photo Gallery
YACOLT — Fathers wearing ties, suspenders and suit jackets wandered around the gymnasium, anxiously awaiting their daughters’ arrival. As the girls trickled in, many in formal dresses, their fathers called out and pulled them into a tight embrace.
Kirk Hernandez Jr. scooped up his 5-year-old daughter, Eternity, and planted kisses all over her face.
For some of the men, it was the most contact they’ve had with their daughters in years. Usual visits consist of sitting at a table across from each other with little to no physical contact.
But on Saturday, inmates at Larch Corrections Center were given the opportunity to participate in the prison’s second father-daughter dance. Last year, only eight inmates signed up. That number more than doubled this year, with 17 inmates and about 25 daughters of all ages, up to 18 years old.
Only inmates who have daughters, and who had no major infractions for the last 90 days, could participate, said Nancy Simmons, Larch’s community partnerships program coordinator. Larch Corrections Center is a minimum-security prison that houses inmates who have four years or less left on their sentences.
“They need to get out and be involved in their children’s lives. It’s important for them to make these connections,” Simmons said.
“I just like these guys’ getting one-on-one time with their children and creating memories with them. That’s what life is all about, creating memories,” she added.
Tiaras, candy and teddy bears sat atop each table for the girls, who were escorted to the event by other family members.
Professional photographers set up a photo area, and girls could limbo, hula hoop, make bracelets and jump rope. But most importantly, the inmates had 30 minutes of personal time with their daughters.
“It’s just a good environment for the whole family, in general,” Hernandez said of the event. “In other visits, you’re so rushed and someone is standing over your shoulder. (This) is all I look forward to.”
Hernandez, 27, has been serving time for robbery, he said, and isn’t scheduled to be released until July 2018.
He said seeing how happy his daughter was to see him gives him confidence. “It makes me want to try harder to be a better husband and father,” he said.
“My wife is a big support and my daughter,” he added.
Goodwill donated all of the inmates’ clothing for the event, said Becky Chapman, an office assistant at the prison. She said volunteers, including herself, were assigned a handful of inmates to pick out clothes for. “You could really see their self-confidence when they came out with it on,” she said.
Another volunteer, Barbara Miller, said she heard one inmate say it was the first time he’s dressed up. “They are so appreciative of an event to spend time with their families,” she said. “It’s really moving.”
The inmates will get to keep the clothing and take it with them when they leave the facility.
As the first slow song played, inmate Kerry Lee and his daughter, Savannah, 15, shared their first-ever dance. Both held each other close, with tears in their eyes.
“It means a lot,” Lee, 34, said afterward. “I missed out on all of her school stuff and dances. This is an opportunity to make up for it.
“I think it’s something she will always remember,” he added.
Lee is scheduled to be released in June, “but it feels like a lifetime,” he said. He’s incarcerated on a drug-related conviction, he said.
“I miss him and want him to come home,” Savannah said, adding that she thinks the dance will bring them closer.
Lee said the whole experience made him “feel like a human again.”
Sid Carter, the president of Families on the Outside, a local organization that provides support for inmates’ families, said it was nice seeing the men back in a “normal atmosphere.”
“They’re being a family again for a brief moment,” he said. “They all come to prison and say they’ll change, but this reminds them.”
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