These are from Success after prison workbook. I thought I would answer some of the questions as I have been going through the book.
In what ways would staff view you differently from other people in prison?
When I arrived at prison getting off the bus I was herded like a cow from one area to another. It made me feel me small or de-humanized me to lower my confidence. I told myself I could not let this system break me down as I did learn from other inmates. I wanted to be different and to start to better myself right that second. I started to ask and to look around to see what I could do for classes and to just overall live a better direction in life. I saw all of the bad things that the inmates did and I did not involve myself in any of those things. If I saw something I knew was not right I would distance myself far from that. I also had my living area very clean and organized so when the staff members walked through they would see my area and usually just keep walking as they saw I am living a normal life. I want to keep doing that once I am released so others can see my way and work ethic.
How can you bring mentors into your orbit?
Never give up. That is one of my favorite sayings that I live by. I think if mentors see your drive they will want to be in your orbit and more willing to help you out and share their ways with you.
In what ways would finding mentors lead to greater achievements in your life?
A mentor can do many things for you and that is why I think it is very important to be able to follow a mentor and to learn from his/her ways. They are a mentor for a good reason because they worked very hard to get where they are.
