Clallam Bay Corrections Center Significant Person Event: Strengthening Bonds Beyond Bars

February 26, 2025

By Brendan Baptiste (email) Communications Office

At Clallam Bay Corrections Center, a unique event shifted the usual dynamics of visitation. The Significant Person Event offered incarcerated individuals an opportunity to step into the role of host, by serving their loved ones in the hopes to strengthen their emotional ties.

Typically, when families visit their loved ones in prison, the structure of the visit can be rigid with limited opportunities for meaningful interaction. However, this event flipped the script. Instead of being the ones receiving attention, the incarcerated individuals took the lead, making their loved ones feel special.

“The significance of today's event is the tables are turned,” explained Tanja Cain, Community Partnership Program Coordinator. “Normally our guests are the only ones who are allowed to get up, but today it’s incarcerated who are serving their loved ones.”

This seemingly small change carried deep emotional weight as it allowed incarcerated an opportunity to take an active role in nurturing their relationships. This can be crucial for maintaining connections that can help them successfully reintegrate into society.

One of the most striking aspects of the event was the clothing. Each participant wore a neatly creased lavender button-down shirt. This was Tanja’s way of letting participants feel normal for a few hours. Their guests were thrilled to see them dressed differently and the small gesture made it apparent that the day was special.

"It’s important to have my person here because she helps ground me,” Says Kly Meas, incarcerated individual. “They always need to spend their money, they need to drive their car, they need to use their time to come visit, but now we get to dress up and cater to them for a change.”

Although the meal was the centerpiece, the event was a full experience. Leading up to the event, participants crafted personal greeting cards during a special craft night. Each card was decorated with care and topped with a rose, further emphasizing the importance of the day.

During the event, attendees engaged in meaningful activities, such as creating personalized jewelry boxes. Using dried flowers, stencils, and paint, they decorated these mementos together working as a team. To preserve the event’s memories, photographs were taken and given as keepsakes, ensuring that this moment would last long after the event ended.

“I’ve been incarcerated since I was 14 years old, so this event is teaching me how to be a better gentleman as I never engaged with a woman like this before. Days like this give us hope and having contact with your loved one to develop the relationship makes us want to do better.” Says Alejandro Diamond Rodriuez, incarcerated individual.

The Significant Person Event at Clallam Bay Corrections Center put on display role that relationships play in rehabilitation. By encouraging deeper connections with family and loved ones, incarcerated individuals gain purpose, motivation, and hope. In a place where isolation can often feel overpowering, its moments like these that prove that love, support, and the chance for a fresh start are still within reach.