We all need our personal space, our alone time. It’s not always easy, especially when you’re married, when you have bills to pay, errands to run, and a “honey-do” list a mile long. With spring fast approaching, my life gets more hectic. First, there are Science Olympiad district and county competitions—I still need to organize twenty stations with insect displays and questions. Then I have house repairs. We need new exterior doors and the outside trim needs a fresh coat of paint. Also, the pond will need a thorough cleaning and our pool (what water’s left in it) will need to be patched or relined. Yet, I’m anxious for the warm weather to get here, regardless of all the extra work that needs to be done on my property. I’m sure other side projects will come up too.I’m slightly puzzled as to why an inmate would tell me he’s too busy—“I’ve got too much on my mind”—to study for a high school equivalency diploma. Here’s a list of excuses they use to ignore the needs for a basic education:
“What good’s a GED to me, I’m doing too much time.”
“I’ve got to work on my case.”
“I don’t have enough time before I’m transferred.”
“School interferes with my yard.”
“Classes conflict with my Law Library.”
These excuses are mere smokescreens to avoid a formal education. When you get right down to it, most inmates associate school with past negative experiences; there’s this personal shame they carry around with them. I try to remind them, “Hey, you’re already in prison, what could be worse than that?”
One time, after trying to convince a prisoner to continue with his studies, he replied, “You ain’t renting no space in my head.” Indeed, I’m not. I’m perfectly content with the space I have.
23 comments:
Gosh I have to remember that line, "you ain't renting no space in my head". That was good, real good, not for his reasons, but sometimes there are those folks who I allow to "rent space in my head", and now I know exactly what to tell them! I guess it does pay to get up early on a Sunday morning and do a bit of browsing in the blog world before the rest of the world wakes up.
I can relate with all the "honey do" projects around the house and property. We always have a long list of things to do as well. This year we plan to work on our landscaping around the house, less creepy crawly, flowery plants and more "can take care of myself" type of plants/bushes/shrubs.
Have you ever been locked up for a good length of time, Jr?
Furthering one's education can seem a bit silly under those circumstances. Especially if you think it wont help you once you get out.
Isabella,
Lengthy sentences are further proof of an inmates need to get his GED. How else will he get an institutional job that'll give him some spending money for store items? Oh sure, there are those cons that get family members and women to send them money orders on a regular basis, but once again, they're relying on others. Also, some of these very same prisoners will play basketball, flag football, and volleyball. And let's not forget weight training. For what? Is prison 6th grade camp? As soon as the warm weather hits, they'll be smiling, sunning themselves, challenging one another to a game of horseshoes or shuffle board.
Lastly, our dear governor of Michigan wants 6,000 non-violent offenders back out on the streets; that's approximately 5 prisons closing. I'm wondering how many of these soon-to-be released convicts sat on their asses during their whole prison term. I'm willing to bet it's a high percentage. Good luck to them and the people (usually family) that will have to support them.
Hey Jim,
I'm in no big hurry for spring -- winter suits me just fine and I don't even have a honey-do list -- just an endless set of tasks that I set out for myself and ignore when I can. I love the line about renting space in one's head -- not in the context, but it's something I need to think about more in regards to people trying to make me feel certain things that I don't want to.
Interesting photo
do you like this one?
Why is Spring always such a busy season? It's driving me crazy.
One day, I'm going to have to use that line on one of my teachers: “You ain’t renting no space in my head.”
"You ain't renting no space in my head." What a perfect indication that he has plenty to spare.
Jim, great buildup to the last two paragraphs.
Jeez, letting more hooligans out on the streets again? Sounds like a great plan -- another thousand points of light for all! Maybe this will save more money for maintaining building art?
Jim, That is a good line, "You ain't renting no space in my head"! Look out for the ex-cons getting out on the streets to do what, without an equivalent high school education???? Hopefully the will add to society!! I like the photo of the prison cell. It sure doesn't look appealing EXCEPT if you want some alone time. --Bro, Ron
JRT,
What advice would you give to a teacher in the public schools considering to take a job similar to yours? There is an opening in the system. A person I know (who in the past has taught in the corrections system for JDs) says that his experience in "the system" was less frustrating than the current "zoo" in his/her school. What say you? I'll check back here since your readers may also be interested in the answer.
Realistic post. Great comments. "Having plenty to spare"
nice CG. JR where do you get those pictures? Patterns of Ink, I say its a trade off. JR can comment on this but I believe what may be gained by leaving PS, is lost by the states unrealistic and misdirected reporting mechanisms brought on by the MDOC-Education having to report stats to MDLEQ. MW
Patterns of Ink,
MW has some valid points. We have silly paperwork that goes to MDLEG, Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth. With less teachers in the corrections system, we are expected to do more than we've ever had to do before. Also, we're expected to do all this paperwork while having a room full of convicts to watch.
There's never any time to prepare lessons; a morning and afternoon bathroom break is all (with convicts pounding on the door).
I won't mention the politicians who think we can do a better job with less of everything.
Patterns of Ink,
There's a state hiring freeze right now. Your friend may be out of luck.
I want and need a job!!!
His comment shows a certain creativity: "you ain't renting space in my head"
he sounds like a guy who would enjoy education if he gave himself a chance.
oh well. what is the cliche...you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink.
have fun staying busy!
I agree with you that they need the education. They need something that they can use to focus their thoughts and get them to think.
Well Jr I guess it works like everything in life unless you decide to do something no one can really convince you other wise.
Good post as usual...hectic pic
Hold on "honey do" lists? I wish I could get my husband to do jobs around the house, must take notes on how this is achieved.
Its is a shame about your students, hopefully you get through to then eventually.
I can think that your mindset is negative towards education when you are going to be locked up for how long.. But I think when they realise they have nothing to loose and that they can prepare for a beter life after leaving prison - then that could help.
There are so many work available on the net - nobody will even know you've been in prison as long as you can do the job (computer programming).
I would love the idea of have time to learn now - but my live to hectic now!
hey Jr.. Just wanted to say thanks for comming by my blog.
I can't wait for spring. Summer is a little to hot for me. But spring and fall are my faves.
Thanks for the input. I'll pass it along--the opening was on the site for a facility down in Muskegon, but maybe it's been withdrawn. It may be one of those grass is greener thoughts, but the things you mention as drawbacks are being heaped on the PS teachers,too. Teaching used to be about teaching. How will be draw young teachers to the profession if it's turning into red tape?
Thanks again for the input.
Sometimes I wonder how you stay motivated to do what you do. God help us all if 6,000 inmates get released with no education.
What I meant, is that sometimes it doesn't FEEL like any good would come of getting one - or any other form of a higher education.
But I realize that's hard to convey to people who haven't been locked up. Sports, etc, those are things you get immediate satisfaction from. That's what gets you by in prison, where, let's face it, most inmates have addictive personalities in one form or another.
Studying for a GED can be like getting your weed one little piece at a time, in hopes you'll have enough for one drag someday in the future.
(I'm not condoning weed, btw, I don't smoke it - just using drugs as an analogy for some reason.)
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