LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - April 27, 2009) -
WHO: More than 700 children and their incarcerated mothers,
prison staff, dozens of volunteers and community
leaders.
WHAT: Tenth annual "Get On The Bus" program
WHEN: Friday, May 8, 2009
8 a.m. - 10 a.m. - Buses arrive at the institutions
10 a.m. - 1 p.m. - Children and Moms visit
1 p.m. - 3 p.m. - Buses depart
WHERE: California Institution for Women (CIW), Corona
Valley State Prison for Women (VSPW), Chowchilla
Central California Women's Facility (CCWF), Chowchilla
BACKGROUND: The Get On The Bus program was founded to unite children with their mothers and fathers in prison. Since its inception, the program has provided hundreds of children a chance to see, touch and talk to their parent in prison. Local community volunteers from all major cities throughout California sponsor buses. This year on the Friday before Mother's Day, 32 buses filled with children and their caregivers will travel from Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside, Ventura, Stockton, Sacramento and the Bay Area to visit three female institutions.
Note to Media: If you wish to visit a prison, background information is required for security clearance. Blue jeans and blue chambray shirts are not permitted to be worn on facility grounds. Contact the prison you wish to visit.
Institutional Contacts: CIW: Bob Patterson, (909) 606-4921
VSPW: Bryan McCraw, (559) 665-6100, ext. 5509
CCWF: Bart Fortner, (559) 665-5531, ext. 6002
If you wish to see the children leave for the prisons early Friday morning, contact Get On The Bus Director Maria Palmer at (818) 980-7714 ext. 12. All media background information must be received by Monday, May 4, 2009.
Contact Information: Contact: Michele Kane (916) 445-4950 Maria Palmer (818) 980-7714