The person who thinks he can and the person who thinks he can’t are both right. The power of the mind, overcoming obstacles, having faith in the unseen and unknown is critical. Belief in self, knowing what I did is not who I am is the fuel that keeps my fire kindled and burning. Not letting anyone, be it my fellow campers or the staff put me in a category with everyone else. It can be easy to lose your individual identity when you are here. Indifferent to the education level and personality’s that cover the full spectrum, the system looks at everyone the same. Your not a person, your a number. Mine is 43147-509. When I log into the email system or make a phone call I don’t use my name, I am 43147-509. When I send a letter or need to get anything at the commissary, my name does not matter, but my number does. When I have a question for the camp counselor or case manager they never ask my name but say “What is your number”. This dehumanizing system should not be a surprise in a country that has embraced Mass Incarceration as a business not as rehabilitation. The “Punishment” is loss of liberty but what does that mean? At a camp you are allowed many liberties. There are three meals a day, free movement, no bars or fences, an outdoor track, pool tables, ping pong, movies on weekends, a library, no need to worry about rent or bills to name just a few. For many, life is much harder on the outside. Holding down a job, paying for a car, paying rent and bills and BEING A RESPONSBILE CONTRIBUTOR TO SOCIETY. The system is broken and in many ways the ones “doing time” are our loved ones. They are not considered people by the Department of Justice but collateral damage, similar to the innocent victims of war.
Personally, my life is much better when I’m not here in spite of all the “perks”. There are a hundred places I would rather be and as someone who is older, time is a valuable commodity. I’m about 5 months to the door. My time here has been short and it has left my eyes wide open. This place is a revolving door that to a great extent serves no practical purpose. Many sleep in all day and are up all night. Zero responsibility and zero accountability and we wonder why more than half will return. A person cannot be initially assigned to a camp unless you meet a certain criteria.
You must have a sentence of 10 years or less, are a non-violent offender and your crime did not involve sexual acts of any kind. There are many who have committed so called white collar crimes. Highly educated people that for whatever reason found themselves in the crosshairs of the Government. The thousands and thousands of people in Federal Prison camps that cost $70,000 per person, per year could revolutionize this country for the greater good. Here are a few alternatives that would allow for all prison camps to be modified and many that could close permanently.
If you are 30 years old or younger and qualify to be in a camp you should be given a choice of volunteering for military service. Those older than thirty that are physically able would be given the option to join the Peace Corp, work for Habitat for Humanity or for one of a host of non profits that have a meaningful impact and achieve a multiple purpose of rehabilitation and giving back. At minimum, all campers should be working to serve the community. These choices combined with expanded Home Confinement options would save hundreds of millions of dollars annually while providing much needed mentoring to the at risk population and simultaneously fulfilling the objectives and outcomes set forth when someone is sentenced in the Federal system.
Can you even Imagine?
