Guys from our college
program continued to go home. Most are
doing well. It’s only been nine months
since our first graduation, but nineteen have left. I’m sorry to report two – both men with
histories of drug problems – are back in custody.
But, not all is well
with the college program. Money has
dried up. With the economy continuing
its poor recovery and politicians on both sides of the aisle seemingly unable
to put their personal opinions behind what’s good for the country, the strain
on Federal and State budgets makes it impossible for money to reach where it’s
needed most. The Community College grant
which funds this program is set to expire at year end.
Is this a good use of
taxpayer money? Consider that it costs
in excess of $25,000 per year to house and maintain one inmate in a Virginia
prison. Consider that the best determining
factor in an inmate recommitting a crime upon release is education. Simply put, incarcerated persons who receive
a college education while in prison don’t return to prison after their release.
It’s simple economics really. Spend $3,000 to $4,000 to educate a man while
locked up and virtually guarantee his success as a taxpaying citizen, or spend
ten times that amount to keep him in prison.
Most states see the
logic in prison reform. Virginia,
unfortunately, does not. I serve time in
a state where our current Governor will announce he believes in “second chances”,
yet provides not one dollar in state money to make those second chances a
reality. A private wealthy donor (“The
Sunshine Lady” and her foundation) refused to underwrite the college programs
in Virginia’s prisons because the state refuses to have any “skin in the game”. Ironically, she is funding programs in four
other states – all with conservative Republican Governors – who willingly match
private funds with state dollars.
This summer I was
invited to be interviewed by a Voice of America reporter for a broadcast back
to China on the humane, “education matters in prison” programs, being utilized
in American corrections. It came on the
heels of a Chinese government issued report noting the United States has the
largest inmate population in the world and has twenty percent of its children
living below the poverty rate.
I also was fortunate
enough to be interviewed by the chief legislative aid of retiring Senator Jim
Webb (D, Virginia) about prison education.
Senator Webb is one of those rare politicians – like Senator John McCain
– who puts country ahead of party. For
the past six years this conservative, decorated war hero has led a tireless
campaign for prison reform. Too many
people are behind bars for nonviolent crimes, costing billions and creating
generational damage in communities that will reverberate for years. Senator Webb believes America can do
better. He’s right.
This summer has seen
its share of fights – always too many. I’ve
watched as racial tensions have flared as splinter sects “the 5%ers” try and
actively recruit newly arrived young black inmates who have known nothing but
failure and poverty their whole lives.
For them, for so many on the economic and education fringes of society,
the American dream is a cruel lie.
And, I heard about a
friend from in here – a guy I’ve written about, “Mouse” who is near death. Mouse left here in May with both admission to
college and a job lined up. He did ten
years and was ready to live, be productive, get his bachelor’s degree and hopefully
open his own restaurant. Three weeks ago
Mouse suffered a brain aneurism. His
long term prognosis is doubtful. I
continue to keep Mouse in my prayers.
Prayers. They work.
I realized this summer that I may never understand why I’m going through
what I do, but I know God understands me.
More importantly, He loves me and forgives me. And no one – no matter their sin – is beyond
His grace.
Prisons are full of
flesh and blood people; some have done terrible things. And some would do terrible things again. But, if you believe in the God the prophet
Isaiah spoke about, if you pay attention to the parables and letters of the New
Testament, you know there is always hope.
And hope matters, today more than ever.
I have a lot of ideas
for the blog. I have a lot of stories to
tell and people to introduce you to.
Each week you’ll get a glimpse of life in here. Hopefully, you’ll also understand why we must
do better.
It’s time for me to
get back to work and I’m looking forward to sharing my life in here with you. 
