When they have served their time, jail inmates are released wearing the clothes they wore when they arrived.
Inmates may check in in shorts, T-shirt and flip-flops in warm weather and remain in jail while seasons change. That could make their wardrobe woefully inadequate.
Rockford Reachout Jail Ministry Director George Hofstetter understands that risk, so he’s providing a simple solution: offer freed inmates a coat.
According to Hofstetter, while many inmates have connections on the outside, some inmates often have nothing to go back to when they are released. “One of the biggest problems is homelessness amongst our population,” he says. “A lot of these folks are couch-hopping at best and sometimes just plain street homeless.”
“The Winnebago County Justice Center does everything they can to make sure these folks have the clothing that they need.” Hofstetter says, “Sometimes the demand is just overwhelming.”
The ministry has received about 150 jackets so far, but Hofstetter says roughly 1,000 people are released per month. He says St. Rita Catholic Church, Heartland Community Church, St. Elizabeth Catholic Community Center, and Carpenter’s Place have been the primary donors.
Hofstetter said the Winnebago County Jail is the only correctional facility in Illinois that is offering a service like this. “How other counties manage it, I don’t know.”
He says anyone is welcome to donate winter clothing directly to the Winnebago County Justice Center or contact the Rockford Reachout Jail Ministry at (815)319-6625.