Why I Enjoy Going to Jail

People ask me why I like teaching classes at the jail. By ‘people’ I mean everyone- colleagues, friends, family members, random strangers, my husband. I realize that it is a strange thing, but I actually look forward to going to Jail North. Why? This is why:

Below are a few examples of evaluations from my Flash Fiction class, adult inmates, Jail North:

“I would like to work harder with my writing and more on my Flash Fiction. I think this class helped me out a lot.”
“She (the instructor) made things fun and exciting. Also she made it understandable with an open mind. Thank you for your class, Peace & Blessings.”
“This class made me want to learn more.”

We did a writing exercise today that I highly recommend- stream of consciousness writing. It’s great for the novice writer, or for those that think that they have nothing to say. I explained the concept to the class. They were to write in their journals for two minutes about whatever popped in their head, no editing, rewriting or formal writing, just let the words flow. For two minutes the guys furiously wrote in their journals and all I could hear was the scribbling of pencils. Pencils down, then we read what we wrote out loud. I had to edit a bit for content, but here is an example from one of my more quiet students:
“This class has been (good) for me. I’ve learned that this is a great group of guys, and I’ve learned some things about (myself). I didn’t believe in writing. I didn’t think that it would help anything. Now when I think about this class I think about what I have learned and the power of words. Writing makes it real, somehow, something that I can see. My words have worth like they never did before. Maybe they always did, but somehow I now see their value.”
The Flash Fiction class ended today and it was a humbling experience for me. People sometimes don’t connect prison reform and library services, but I believe that we really can fight crime through literacy. There are people like the Jail North library employees and other jail librarians all over the country that offer hope to inmates in a the form of a book or a poem.
One of the guys said in class today that if he had never been sent to jail, he would have never thought to read a book, or write in journal. He explained: “It’s not like I’m glad I’m here, but in a weird way, I’m glad I’m having this experience. Going to a class. Reading over 200 books. Keeping a journal, writing down my thoughts. I never thought I had anything worthwhile to say, but it turns out that I do, and it’s nice to find something positive here, you know?”
Yes, I do. And as I said, it is humbling to know that you have helped someone realize that.
We ended with the poem ‘Our Greatest Fear,’ by Marianne Williamson, which seemed appropriate. My favorite verse:
“And as we let our own light shine,we unconsciously give other peoplepermission to do the same.”
And so, whenever some one asks me why I enjoy teaching at the jail, I will reference this post and hopefully that will explain it.
Write on, my friends, write on!