From a Warden's Heart...
As the Warden at the California Institution for Women, the state's oldest prison for women, I would like to share how your program has enabled the inmates to give back to the community.
I would like to share just one of the experiences I had during a happy hat distribution at the hospital that sums up the intent of the program. There was a boy in his room, alone, with a look of despair on his face. I went in and asked him if he wanted a "Happy Hat". He answered yes, but indicated that he wanted the one I was wearing. I took it off and gave it to him and suddenly a smile began to emerge and grow from ear to ear. Then a laugh, and soon some of the hospital staff started coming in - the room was soon full of joy. As I left the room, I noticed a nurse outside crying. I asked her what was wrong and she said that the boy had not smiled or laughed since his arrival to the hospital, it was like a miracle. The Happy Hat had once again faithfully performed its task.
These hats are part of a healing process for not only the children who receive them, but for the inmates as well.
Susan E. Poole
Warden