Furman University Program Connects Inmates With Children

Riley's Readers provides free recorded bedtime stories to children of incarcerated parents in South Carolina.

Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Child Care

Bold vector editorial illustration of two facing open books connected by a glowing light, representing parental connection through stories. — The Riley's Readers program at Furman University allows incarcerated parents in South Carolina to send recorded bedtime stories to their children, helping maintain family bonds. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should prisons implement programs designed to help incarcerated parents maintain bonds with their children?

The Riley Institute at Furman University operates a program called Riley's Readers that allows incarcerated parents to record themselves reading books for their children. The initiative aims to alleviate the emotional strain and physical separation caused by incarceration.

Why it matters

Incarceration often creates significant distance between parents and children, leading to lasting emotional strain for families. This program seeks to bridge that gap by using reading to maintain a connection between parents and their children while they are separated.

The program has successfully facilitated the delivery of over 1,500 books to children throughout South Carolina. More than 500 inmates at the Livesay Correctional Institution have participated since the initiative began, all at no cost to the families.

The players

Furman University

Located in Greenville, this private liberal arts university hosts the Riley Institute which created and manages the program.

Livesay Correctional Institution

This facility located in Spartanburg County serves as the primary site where inmates record and participate in the reading initiative.

The details

Inmates at the Livesay Correctional Institution in Spartanburg County select books and record themselves reading aloud for their children. Staff at the facility facilitate the recordings and manage the delivery of materials to families, supported by funding from a state grant.

September 29, 2026: Details regarding the program operations were reported.

Culture Shift

This story follows the pattern set by the Second Chance Act of 2007 by prioritizing family reunification as a strategy to improve outcomes for incarcerated individuals and their families. The program reflects a broader movement toward maintaining familial bonds as a critical component of rehabilitation and long-term societal reintegration.

Families affected by incarceration in South Carolina can access this reading service at no cost to help maintain connections with their children. Residents interested in supporting or learning more about the reach of this program can contact the Riley Institute at Furman University.

The takeaway

Maintaining consistent communication between incarcerated parents and their children is essential for preserving family ties during periods of separation. Programs like these demonstrate how simple interventions, such as reading, can provide meaningful emotional support to children affected by a parent's absence.