Persistence

Psalm 46:10

I had the opportunity to work for five different prison wardens in my twenty five year teaching career with the Michigan Department of Corrections. Each had their own style of management and vision of how the prison should be run. Each would hire their own personnel included in their inner circle. The inner circle of personnel would be trusted to give the warden sound advice on the security concerns of running the prison. I was never concerned about the warden’s inner circle personnel. Most were personable and would speak directly to you and still others acted like kings. The kings expected their rings to be kissed and I wasn’t a ring kisser. They found it easier to avoid me because they knew I was capable of saying something they didn’t care to hear. The warden that wanted me to run the greenhouse was one of the best I had worked for. He knew the good publicity the greenhouse would bring the prison, and the opportunities for those inmates that participated.

My job was to make sure the greenhouse and the vocational class would be accredited through Lansing’s Prison Education Administration. At the time of our programs inception, the MDOC had at least fifteen Horticulture programs in place. I was able to visit two successful prison programs, one in Coldwater, and one in Jackson. Both contributed to their respective communities immensely. Vegetable donations were being made to their area foodbanks. They also helped feed the prison population, and reduced the cost of providing meals at their facilities. They grew hundreds of houseplants which would be used through-out the prison, and maintained by the students. The Horticulture programs would also donate plants to local nursing homes and hospitals. The prisoners would be involved in every aspect of this effort. Their idle time would be reduced, and the prison administration had hoped this would result in fewer assaults within the prison. Finally, the positive impact the prison donations would have on the community would be good public relations for the MDOC.

I didn’t have any problem in the beginning making this happen at the Macomb Correctional Facility. I had the support of the warden, our school principal, and the maintenance department. The maintenance department crew were our heroes. They kept the greenhouse running in all types of weather, and I never suffered a crop loss in the twenty five years I taught here. They were exceptional and understood the intricacies of running a successful greenhouse. I couldn’t have worked with a better support system. They made the program a success. The warden eventually retired, but before leaving he sat down with me and told me that he appreciated my persistence. It was my persistence that made all the difference. I was able to take his vision and make it happen. He informed me that not everyone in the MDOC supports prison Horticulture. He was sure I would have problems in the future with this program, but that my persistence to give it credibility would make it successful. I was motivated to make it work, but I didn’t realize the stress it would bring me. My naivete was evident. By the Grace of God went I.