Raindrops and wind couldnt darken Jesus Gastelums sunny disposition Saturday as he dined with his family for the first time in 10 years.

Gastelum and his eight loved-ones were just one group out of 400 inmates and visitors who ate, played games and visited on the grass in the perimeter of the medium security building at Umatillas Two Rivers Correctional Institution. They ate hamburgers, hot dogs and snow cones under a large party tent, as children ran through the grass and played games. A cold front pushed the party inside 45 minutes later, where offenders continued visiting with their family and friends.

It was different, said Gastelum, whos served half of a 20-year manslaughter sentence. It felt good to be around my family. I felt free out there. I felt more relaxed. I felt more human, kind of like I wasnt locked up.

Assistant Superintendent Paul Hoeye said inmates must maintain a clean record no fights or staff assaults for six months, and those with children have to take a parenting class if they want to attend. Its a strong rehabilitative catalyst because it motivates them to behave well so they dont disappoint their family and friends.

We have inmates out here right now who are dropouts from gangs and this encourages them to continue, Hoeye said. The Department of Corrections is reducing the recidivism while holding them accountable.

This kind of event gives families a sense of hope because they can reconnect with inmates. It especially benefits children, who often feel betrayed by incarcerated parents.

They kind of feel helpless. They kind of feel like theyve been abandoned, Hoeye said. This lessens the feelings of abandonment for children.

He said last year the prison had a similar event for its minimum security building, but Saturdays event was a first for the medium security building.

Two Rivers will hold the same event today for a group of 400.

Lisa Dominguez said it was nice to visit with Gastelum, her boyfriend, in a more natural setting than the visitation room.

It was cool to actually just sit down and eat with him, she said. We havent had a meal with him for 10 years.

Anita Gastelums eyes lit up when she said how nice it was to see her son in a T-shirt and jeans, instead of the usual long-sleeve denim shirt-and-jean uniform; she was encouraged by being able to hug him.

Lila Mendez, Gastelums aunt, said she noticed a big difference in her nephews attitude because of the picnic.

Its the small things that you dont notice, said Anita Gastelum, who drives from Portland with Dominguez to visit her son almost weekly.

Jesus Gastelum said such visits ease the transition between prison life and facing the world as a free man.

I was excited to have my family come out here and experience something like this, he said. It keeps the family closer.

Contact Chris Rizer at crizer@eastoregonian.com or 541-966-0836.