My Spanish student was able to get reenrolled into my class, and I was glad to have him. His English had improved considerably, and he was eager to begin were he left off. After a two year hiatus he seemed relived to be here. I was curious as to why he had to go to Ryker’s Island and he informed me he had to go to trial over another criminal incident that included people he knew but that he wasn’t involved.. He was found not guilty and returned to Michigan to serve out his sentence on narcotic trafficking. He informed me that Ryker’s Island was dangerous for him. He had to pay for everything he received there, and the jobs offered the prison population were few and far between. It took him six months to get a hair cut, and taking a shower without paying for protection could get one assaulted. He was glad to be found not guilty and was going to finish serving his Michigan sentence here. He only had three years to go.
While working on the flower gardens I was approached by an inmate who looked somewhat familiar. He called me by my last name and emphasized the last syllables that made it sound phallic. I didn’t recognize him right away but I informed him that it was Mr. to him, and the proper pronunciation was not the way he said it. He laughed and wanted to know if I recognized him? Unfortunately for him, I finally did. He went to another high-school and hung out with a group of people who thought they were better than everyone else. I personally thought they were all spoiled, and cut ties with them. Graduating from another high school helped me keep my distance and going to college assured I wouldn’t run into them again. So I was shocked to hear that voice, and his disrespect for me was genuine. So much for being born with a “silver spoon” in your mouth I thought. To be convicted of a felony and put behind three barb wire fences didn’t speak highly of his character either. We all make mistakes but it seemed he was still as arrogant as I remembered him as a teenager.
I was speaking with my Spanish student in one of the larger gardens when he came walking up to us in an area clearly marked out of bounds to anyone not enrolled in Horticulture. He was also designated level 4 and was not allowed to be in the area. He began speaking Spanish to my student who winced, shook his head no, .and looking directly at him, began cussing him out. I informed him to leave or I would have to write him a major out of place ticket. He laughed and began to hurl all kinds of obscenities at me and my students working in the gardens. It didn’t take long for the officers to respond and take him to segregation. Unreluctantly, he followed their commands while continuing to cuss me out, and use my name profanely. I informed the officers I would write the ticket, and use them as witnesses. They had no problem with that. My Spanish student looked petrified. He explained later when we were in the classroom, one on one, that the “cussing man” was a lieutenant in one of the South American cartels. He was actually trying to intimidate my student to join. My student refused, and that began his obscene verbal attack on all of us., especially me.
I told him not to worry, Mr. Obscenity’s outburst, threats, and disregard for posted rules would boost him to a higher security level. This meant he would probably be sent to a higher security prison (level 5) in Michigan’s upper peninsula. He was the leader of a group of people I grew up with. They disrespected anyone not in their special group. I was shocked to see him again, but not surprised he was in prison. My Spanish student couldn’t believe I showed no fear of him. I had to explain to my student that my faith in God gave me my strength. I was here to give hope to the hopeless, and provide an opportunity for change to those compelled to do so. He may want to change in the future. I wasn’t here to judge him. I was here to provide that hope. That’s why the Warden wanted the green house. A new beginning for those who participated and contributed. This is what I was instructed to do as a prison vocational teacher. I would only have one more interaction with Mr. Obscenity and it would be memorable. TO BE CONTINUED… PSALM 62:5-8
Humpty Dumpty SLAVA UKRAINI GLORY TO THE HEROES
MJ-Way 