To make a connection to this piece of the text I will use my stepdad as an example. He has been a deputy for eighteen years and been with the same sheriff’s office, but has been able to transfer to different jobs throughout the office (backgrounds, patrol, probation officer, corrections, and now the head of investigations). He explains that he needed to find an outlet when he got off of work every day or else anyone he interacted with would witness his “after work” attitude. He started going to the gym ever day after work to relieve some of the built up anger and stress he had from his recent shift and noticed after working out it was not as bad as before. He explains to me that when they first hire people to work or volunteer in the prisons he has to remind them that by spending time in prison it causes stress so it is extremely beneficial to have an outlet after being in the prisons.
Another part of the reading this week interested me – when one of Laura Bates’s associates, Larry, told her to find a new name to call the “at – risk kids”. He tells her that when the juvenile offenders hear these words it is almost like they take pride. They take pride in knowing they are in prison. He explains to her that by calling the prisoners “hard core” or any other name similar the prisoners will see themselves as celebrities. Bates is then told that these juveniles are here for help and she should think as herself in need of help too. Larry then goes on to tell Laura that it is possible for the juveniles to learn from their mistakes (while they can) and move onto better lifestyles.
I recently did an essay on prison programs and this chapter tied into the research as well. If inmates are willing to make the change and move forward, then it is possible to reduce the rate at which ex-inmates end up back in prison. Making a connection between my research and this week’s reading, if Bates is able to produce positive results through her English/literature programs with juveniles like she wants to then it is possible to see less adult offenders.