Hundreds of pillows donated for women at the Salt Lake County Jail

Salt Lake City, Utah — Around 300 pillows were donated and distributed to women who are incarcerated within the Salt Lake County Jail by the program “Pillows for Prisoners,” in partnership with Sheriff Rosie Rivera and the Salt Lake County Jail.

Donations for the pillows were collected through community members and through partnerships.

The “Pillows for Prisoners” initiative was taken on by the older sisters of a woman named Celeste Suite, who was incarcerated in 2017 after she was a victim of sexual assault in college and turned to drugs and alcohol to self-medicate.

According to Cassandra Suite-Smith and Sabrena Suite-Mangum, they had no idea what jail was like before their younger sister was incarcerated. The first thing Celeste asked for was a pillow and that’s when they learned just how difficult it is for inmates to receive many necessities – but especially pillows.

This year is especially sweet for the Suite family because Celeste has given birth to a baby boy and has found joy and stability in her new family and life.

“We hope that like this gift of pillows, Celeste’s story will bring hope to those inside and outside the jail, and instill more compassion in our community. We’re proud of the work Celeste has done,” Sabrena Suite-Mangum, co-founder and Executive Director of Pillows for Prisoners said. “We are equally thankful for the donations from members all over the community and the work of Sheriff Rivera and her team to make this gift possible – especially with all the pandemic restrictions.”

“It is wonderful that we are here today celebrating Celeste’s recovery and accomplishments by supporting other incarcerated women who may be experiencing the same hardships that Celeste did in 2017. I hope these pillows are a comforting reminder that these women can also change their lives by taking advantage of the services at the Salt Lake County Jail and in the community,” Sheriff Rosie Rivera commented.

More than 2,200 pillows have been bought through donations over the last five years from the Pillows for Prisoners program for women in the jail.