Fort DesMoines and Newton Correctional Institute.

Today was quite a big day. This morning we visited Fort DesMoines Correctional Facility. This institute houses people who are convicted of operating while intoxicated, mild sex offenders, and provides transitional living for many newly released prisoners. In addition to providing living spaces for the people listed above, this facility also offers various “re-entry” classes. One example being the “Victim Impact Class”, where the former aggressors are made to understand the consequence of their actions on another person (the victim) and their families.

In the afternoon, we went to the Newton Correctional Institute for men, where my boss teaches a class on bioethics. This facility is considered a medium to maximum security prison. Before we were allowed in, we went through a metal detector and were patted down quite thoroughly. We were then lead through the first layer of barbed wire, then through the second and then through three doors before arriving in the actual prison. Once inside, we entered into a hall where we met the inmates in my bosses class. I have to say that I was quite nervous about the idea of going into a classroom with a bunch of men who are charged with first degree murder, first degree kidnapping and severe sexual assault. However, as we settled down and began the class, I was shocked by how “normal” they were and how the situation quickly turned from being scary criminals in a prison to human beings with minds and opinions in a classroom. They were laughing and cracking jokes with us, actively participating in class discussion and showed a lot of respect towards my boss. At the end of the class, we were able to ask them questions and a few stayed on after to talk to us personally before we left to go home.

It was such a disturbingly bizarre experience. I was struck by how smart and knowledgeable these men were and how much they wanted to learn and be a part of the class. What really hit home however, was when they talked about how much this class meant to them and how much they valued this opportunity to get an education. One individual in particular mentioned that it changed his life. He had a great sense of humor and was incredibly friendly and open. Had I met this individual outside of the prison, I would never ever have suspected him of committing the crime that he did.

I will never see these individuals again, so I doubt their behavior wasn't genuine but again it is hard to say. It is hard to know what to think in these situations. On the one hand they act like you and me. They are human beings, with families, feelings, minds, desires to make a living and have a family. On the other hand, they have committed some of the most heinous crimes. You think, they should be punished and sentenced for life in prison but then you walk out of that gated, guarded, barb-wired, brick block and you think “Well, that’s easy to say when I am able to walk out so freely and resume my life, dreams and goals”. How can they be so human and inhuman? Are they really just bad, manipulating people? Where they too young to know what they did? Did they lack guidance and love? Why, why, why did they do what they did? Should they be given a second chance? Imagine serving 75 years or more in prison…that’s your life right there stripped of freedom.

If there is one thing that I am certain however, is that EDUCATION can and will make a difference for EVERYONE. After this visit and hearing the men talk about their progression from being inarticulate kids to what they are now, I feel like I should do something related to teaching. At this moment, it seems like the only solution to steering kids away from trouble and giving everyone equal opportunities. Let’s see what tomorrow brings…