When coming to Camp Atwood, I was asked numerous times from various inmates why I was here, and if I had ever been to a “real prison” before. According to some inmates, the fact I have only been to a Prison Camp, this doesn’t count as a “real prison”. I share with them honestly that I have never been arrested before, and never have done anything illegal, more than speeding. They have a curiosity to this with me, as this has not been their experience.
In listening to the many stories of women I am here with, the ones who “are about that life” (their words, not mine), were exposed to prisons/jails at an early age from parents, friends or other family members going to prison or jail. Some are here because they are protecting their significant other. Others, for drugs, well, most of them for drug-related crimes. So I started thinking. When I am released, and go back to my work with the homelessness and SUD populations, I want to also help with recividism. Some who do not know what life could be outside that “life” and don’t know how to get out of it should be shown a better way of life that doesn’t impede their freedoms and civil liberties. I want to do work with advocacy groups to provide education, and provide opportunities.
Therefore, I am expanding my current business plan and will be reaching out to these advocacy groups upon my release. Also adding these plans to my release plan. When people only know one way of life, they feel it is the only way it will be for them. I want to show them more opportunities, so they aren’t in and out of prison. Of course, there are some women in here that they truly enjoy prison life. It is their home. That is something I cannot personally grasp, but seek to to understand. I cannot personally fathom feeling a place that denies you the basic freedoms and human dignities I am accustomed to being any sort of welcomed “home”. I am looking forward to the day I am no longer here, and back home with those I love.
They often say that a good business plan is derived from experience. Well this experience is opening me up to the human condition at a level I have never imagined. I never had being in Prison on my life bingo card. Now that I am here, I am wanting to turn this bad experience into something good.
