Things are changing rapidly here and though I am 100% supportive
of them, it is already apparent that a lot of officers are not as accepting to
change.
The new deputy warden believes in ownership, responsibility and
accountability. She insists on consistency throughout with inmates as well as
staff and she is aware that change here is essential.
During my meeting with our new Deputy Warden, I was informed that
I will be running programs and special projects. I have facilitated all of
these things before with her supervision on other yards and so, she is aware if
my skills and capabilities. The only downside is that I have never had to do
them all. Right now, as it stands, I
will be facilitating the following classes to the inmate populations:
Re-entry
Class; This program is designed to educate inmates on the best ways to
survive outside f here. The information includes all the basics including how
to open a bank account, get an apartment, fill out job applications, how to
interview, get health insurance etc.
Cultural
Diversity: This is designed specifically for the more hardened, political
inmates who need to learn acceptance of all ethnic backgrounds. Ironically it
will be me; a multi racial homosexual who will teach them these classes.
Cognitive
Thinking; This class will help guys process their thoughts and feelings. So
many people do not knopw how to deal with things that go on in their own minds.
Anger
Management; The title says it all. We need to try and change the way that inmates
in here react to people. In the real world society, people are going to be
rude, disrespectful and do upsetting things. We cannot just go around
assaulting those who do.
On top of facilitating those 4 classed, I will also be heading up
the Restorative Justice Project. This
program allows me to set up various fundraisers for all sorts of things for the
inmate population to purchase through an approved vendor. Once an item is
selected, we mark up the purchase price 100%. We purchase the items for the
inmates and the profits received are then donated to the Victims Rights Fund.
The Special
Projects aspect is basically that I have to keep a tally of things that
need to be done; i.e.: painting tasks, maintenance and grievance issues etc..
So it appears that I have my work cut out for me. And I will be
compensated $.50 cents an hour. Right now, I am exhausted just thinking about
it all and I need to sleep.
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