CHEERING UP INMATE'S KIDS RECEIVE GIFTS FROM GOOD CLAUS.

Byline: ALEX DOBUZINSKIS Staff Writer

CASTAIC -- Sunday was just like any visitor day at Pitchess Detention Center -- inmates clutching a phone, speaking with sons, daughters, wives and parents on the other side of a thick, glass wall.

The difference was that when the children took a bus back to the visitor shelter on the outskirts of the jail complex, Santa Claus was waiting with presents and a smile.

Santa gave away hundreds of gifts, including wooden toys and stuffed dolls the inmates had made, in an annual event organized by the Santa Clarita Valley/Newhall Optimist Club.

``There's no question that the children are the victims, the secondary victims, of their parents' crimes,'' Sheriff Lee Baca said. ``And I'm a very big believer that good parenting is necessary, so we definitely want the inmates to know that their children matter.''

Jenny Galindo, 8, received dolls and a candy cane after visiting her father. Her grandparents said she looked forward to the visit, and Jenny was happy to hear a promise from her dad.

``When he comes back from the jail, he's going to take me to the pool,'' she said.

Santa Claus, who was portrayed for the first part of the day by certified hypnotist Mike Holt, gave presents to a 1-year-old, young teens and every child in between.

Desiree Peralta, 19, of Palmdale pushed her daughter, Delise Villa, in a stroller after visiting her fiance in the jail. After seeing her dad, Delise received a couple of dolls from Santa.

``I think it's really good that they're doing something like this for the kids,'' Peralta said. ``Most of these kids, their dad's in jail. When Christmas comes, they won't be with them. It's hard for the kids.''

The wooden helicopters, cars and trucks children received were made by inmates at Pitchess. Female inmates at another location made the stuffed dolls.

The Optimist Club also gave the children hundreds of boxed toys and factory-made dolls donated by business owners and residents.

``Why is this event special?'' asked Dee Gadbury, secretary-treasurer of the Santa Clarita Valley/Newhall Optimist Club. ``The fact that we can come up here and give toys to kids ... it makes us feel good.''

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(1 -- ran in SAC and AV editions only) Anamichelle Ramos-Garcia, 6, of Corona holds her gifts while her brother, Junior Aurelio, 2, visits with Santa Claus at the Pitchess Detention Center in Castaic on Sunday morning. Those who came to visit their loved ones in jail had the opportunity to visit with Santa and receive gifts, some made by the inmates.

Alex Collins/ Special to the Daily News

(2 -- 3; 2 -- ran in SAC and Valley editions only; 3 -- ran in SAC edition only) Satavi Avalos, 2, above, of Long Beach visits with Santa Claus, portrayed by Michael Holt of Valencia, at the Pitchess Detention Center in Castaic on Sunday.