More than 1,600 Offenders Have Become Better Fathers
Thanks to Probation's Fatherhood Program

Shawn Suarez Sr., a 32-year-old father of a pre-teen son, never knew his father. Suarez, however, wanted to make sure that his son grew up knowing him.

After being released from prison, he fought for and gained custody of his child. Suarez, who was later placed on probation for subsequent charges, was ordered to attend Probation's 12-week Fatherhood Program at Springfield District Court.

Suarez said he found something at the program that he had not found in any of the many programs he was ordered to attend by the courts or while in prison.

"This program was not like any of the AA's or NA's or like anything I have ever attended. In this program, I felt like I could be myself, like I don't have to tell them what they want to hear," Suarez said. "The biggest thing that I learned is how important it is to my son for me to be in his life. You mostly hear about how important mothers are."

Suarez is one of more than 100 probationers across the state who have graduated from one of Probation's 12 Fatherhood Programs over the past year. Chief Probation Officer Thomas Mitchell and Deputy Commissioner Steve Bocko created the Fatherhood Program in 1994 when Mitchell noticed that many of the men who came before the court had one commonality.

"An overwhelming majority had little or no contact with their own fathers," Mitchell said.

Now, there are Fatherhood Programs in just about every county in the state. In the past 13 years, an estimated 1,662 offenders across the state have completed the program, each required to learn the "Five Principles of Fatherhood" for which the program is based. (See attached principles). The Fatherhood Program is offered twice a year, 12 weeks each session. The program features guest speakers such as judges, clergy and social service providers. During each session, there is also time set aside for the fathers to discuss parenting issues.

In Barnstable County, Barnstable District Court Probation Officer Robert Smith has been running the Fatherhood Program for the past 10 years. A total of 166 fathers have graduated from the program since then. The program held its graduation ceremony and dinner this weekend where Majority Leader, State Representative John Rogers served as guest speaker.

Pittsfield District, Berkshire Juvenile, and Berkshire Probate & Family probation departments --- all in Berkshire County – each offer Fatherhood Programs for offenders.

Jahart Moore, a 29-year-old father, said the Fatherhood Program at Pittsfield District Court gave him and other fathers a forum to discuss parenting issues and the other challenges of life.

Moore, a single father who is in the process of getting full custody of his daughter, said the program taught him patience as he worked through his child's "attachment issues."

"Every week, I got to talk to the other fathers and talk about what they were going through and what I am going through. We got to vent," Moore said. "I was court-ordered to attend and I am glad because I probably would not have known about it (program) otherwise. Now, I would go voluntarily. By hearing other fathers' experiences and talking about mine, it really helped."

Pittsfield District Court Probation Officer Donald Wright said the program was started in 1998 and has had more than 150 fathers graduate.

In Essex County, six offenders recently graduated from the Essex County Community Corrections Center's Fatherhood Program. The program, run by Probation Officer in Charge Frank Audy, was established in 1997. A total of 200 offenders have completed the program.

Springfield District Court, located in Hampden County, has guided 20 fathers through its Fatherhood Program which was established in 2005.

Anthony Carpenter, Springfield District Court Assistant Chief Probation Officer, said "I have found that the men in the program really want to have a positive role in their children's lives. The Fatherhood Program gives them another chance to get it right."

In Middlesex County, the Probation Departments of Cambridge District, Middlesex Superior, and Middlesex Probate & Family courts run a collaborative Fatherhood Program which partners with the Union Baptist Church in Cambridge where the weekly meetings are held.

Cambridge District Court Assistant Chief Probation Officer Ronald Layne said the program has made it possible for a number of fathers to reunite with children they had not been in contact with for years. Layne helped establish the program in 2000. A total of 133 fathers have graduated from the program having learned the lessons of positive parenting.

"A number of positive things have happened as the result of fathers participating in the program. They have improved their parenting skills. Some of the fathers who were unable to have much contact with their children prior to participating in the program because of a court order are now able to have supervised visits with their children," Layne said.

Middlesex County Probation Departments – Framingham District, Waltham District, Newton District, and Natick District – have also created a collaborative Fatherhood Program, The South Middlesex County Fatherhood Program. This Fatherhood Program was the recipient of a three-year $6,000 Carlisle Foundation grant awarded jointly to the program and the Children's Trust Fund. This Fatherhood Program will hold its graduation on July 9th at Framingham District Court where seven probationers will receive certificates for completing the program. The South Middlesex County Fatherhood Program is the newest of Probation's Fatherhood Programs. It was launched in April.

In Norfolk County, the Norfolk Probate & Family Court Probation Department's Fatherhood Program held its graduation at the Endicott Estates on June 5th. The Norfolk County Fatherhood program was the first Fatherhood Program established by the Massachusetts Probation Service 15 years ago. Approximately 400 fathers have graduated from the program, according to Probation Officer Brian Quinn, who has been running the program for the past seven years.

Quinn said he has noticed a willingness among offenders who want to "learn or do something about" becoming a positive influence on their children.

"In the early days, it was clear that the offenders were not all that excited about doing this," he said. "But, I think a large population of men really want to be better fathers."

In Plymouth County, Brockton District Court runs a Fatherhood Program, which was established in 2000. The court held its graduation on June 13th at the court. Plymouth County Probate & Family Court Judge James V. Menno was the keynote speaker. A total of 132 fathers have gone through the program.

Suffolk County's Fatherhood Programs include several separate programs in place at three of the eight divisions of the Boston Municipal Court: Dorchester, East Boston, and West Roxbury.

The Fatherhood Program at BMC-Dorchester was established in 1998 and is run by Assistant Chief Probation Officer Van Thomas Straughter. A total of 255 fathers have graduated from the program. The East Boston Division of BMC, managed by Assistant Chief Probation Officer An Vu, has graduated 90 fathers. Vu started this program at the court in 2002.

More than 100 fathers have graduated from the Fatherhood Program at the West Roxbury division of the Boston Municipal Court, according to Probation Officer Brad McNichols who runs the program there. The program has been in place for 12 years. A graduation ceremony is scheduled for July 3rd at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church.

At Chelsea District Court, also in Suffolk County, approximately 16 probationers completed the Fatherhood Program. This Fatherhood Program was first launched a year ago, according to Chelsea Chief Probation Officer Vito Aluia. The program's graduation ceremony took place early this month at ROCA, a Chelsea-based human services agency.

Thomas Mitchell, who established the program with Deputy Commissioner Steve Bocko, said he is pleased the program has grown and is now in place throughout the state.

"I feel an immense amount of pride. It (program) struck a cord with people. Universally, everyone wants to be a great parent. Most of the men who end up in the program have not had good role models. No one has ever told them what to do or how to be good fathers. They have to break that cycle – break that chain and step up to the plate," said Mitchell. "The Fatherhood Program was something that was definitely needed. Kids, fathers, and families benefit even to this day."