Prison Volunteer Part 2

This is a continuation of a previous blog post about volunteering at the Monroe Penitentiary.

There are rules to volunteering in the prison system.  The typical prison attire is khakis with a white tee shirt or a gray sweatshirt. So volunteers are discouraged from wearing either.  No shorts, or revealing or immodest clothing.  Volunteers are not allowed to bring in computers, iPads, iPhones or Apple watches, only pen and paper.  Or materials pre-approved by the prison.  Wallets, keys, coins, etc. are placed in lockers before going through security.

As volunteers, we are prohibited from sharing our personal life: marriage, kids, grandchildren, vacations, work.  This is hard to do because I am always looking for something to talk about.  But if caught, I would be subject to revocation of my volunteer status.  As volunteers, we are not allowed to bring anything to an inmate (no matter how benign) or accept anything from them.  This is also difficult because they spend hours on some amazing arts and crafts that they would happily gift us.

As volunteers, we are not allowed to contact inmates from outside.  Our contact is limited to the allotted meeting time approved by the prison.  Mine is Mondays from about 6:00 to 8:30.  Any exceptions have to be approved by the superintendent.

When the Latino group started in 2017, it was small.  Often there were only eight or ten of us.  They discussed the need for leadership and being role models to others.  In time, the group gradually grew to twenty and eventually thirty.  They coordinated with the volunteers.  Committees were formed to promote education, help with the legal system, and for language, crafts, and outside programs.

Within a year, the Latino group went from being the “troublemakers” to a model group.  Additionally, it had a positive influence on other inmates that weren’t even part of the group.  The superintendent took notice as did the rest of the staff.  This group became a haven from the gangs, and even began drawing gang members away.  The prison staff began allowing them to develop programs with help from the outside.  And the group grew and matured.  They were doing so many positive things and improving the attitudes of so many.

And then COVID hit.

Just about everything went into lockdown.  Most programs were cancelled.  The oldest prison (one of five in the Monroe complex) was virtually closed and the inmates were relocated to other prisons throughout the state. The Latino group that was doing so well all but disappeared.

After about two years, Twin Rivers (a newer part of the Monroe Penitentiary) started allowing program volunteers.  Of the original Latino group, only a few were still local, but they wanted to start up again.  It took time.  There was a different superintendent, different staff, even different rules.  The group and volunteers persisted, and weekly meetings were allowed by the staff.  Behind the scenes the Latino group members that were still at Twin Rivers, stayed in contact with each other preparing for when they would be able to meet again.  On March 13, 2023 they had their first meeting with volunteers and sponsors.

I started volunteering again around the same time.  I was surprised to see they had an attendance of over thirty, and fully a third of the group was not Latino.  Some were black; many were white; none spoke Spanish.  So the meeting was almost all in English.  But the positive energy was there.  They were forming committees again to deal with education, behavior, families on the outside, legal issues, immigration issues, arts and crafts, and mentoring.  Within a year, they needed more space.  They were allowed to have a larger room and their attendance is pushing fifty.  Most of the group are active in one or more of the committees.  They organize with the volunteers to bring in guest speakers.  They have goals and use the committees and meetings to reach them.  All very positive.

I usually go once a month on the second Monday of the month when I’m in town.  I’ve begun to question my relevance there.  They don’t need my Spanish.  I am not included in the committees or the Board.  I don’t have much to do when I go because the Latino group plans it all.  They mostly just need a volunteer sponsor present so they can have their meeting (prison requirement).  There are usually several of us that attend, so if I didn’t show up, they could still have the meeting.  I have been struggling with this for the past year.  It is a long drive.  Am I even needed or wanted anymore?

Last month, I went on my scheduled Monday feeling like this would be my last visit.  It had been about two months since I visited.  I filled out the paperwork, got my badge, shoes and belt off, went through security, then another security, then the long walk to the meeting room.  What a pain!  This will be my last time!

Normally the volunteers get there first, and each of the inmates will come around and greet the volunteers.  This time, the inmates were already seated.  So I went around and greeted all forty-five.  As I shook each hand and made eye contact, I saw smiles of recognition.  Many told me how very glad they were to see me.  I could see it in their eyes that they were genuinely glad to see me.  I was overcome.  I never expected this.  “Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them…”  Hebrews 13:3.

I do not know what the future holds for me at Twin Rivers or the Latino group.  For the moment, I cannot forget the smiles of recognition or the look in their eyes.  But it is still a long drive.