. My first education conference where I would get to meet and talk with teachers from Michigan’s 42 prison schools was incredible. It was held in Ann Arbor, Michigan, not far from the University of Michigan campus. I enjoyed being in Ann Arbor. As an executive with the Detroit Medical Center, we had listened to speakers from the University’s Ross School of Business talk on a number of health care issues. But this time I wasn’t with executives. I was with people who had dedicated their lives in wanting to make a positive difference in the lives of those incarcerated. Truly, a unique group of teachers. I was like a kid in a candy shop. There were displays on all kinds of educational tools, but what I wanted to see the most was the vocational programs prison build program. Just as I found the Administrator responsible for the prison build program, I was approached by the lazy one who wanted me to join his group, and leave the conference to go golfing with his friends. I shook my head no and received a curt rebuff from him. “You think you can really learn something here” he said sarcastically as he walked away.
.The Prison Build Administrator listened to the whole interaction and I felt obligated to explain it. However, I didn’t need to. He knew exactly who the lazy one was and how he felt about educating prisoners. He informed me that the Lazy One hangs out with the guys in Parole and Probation and is trying to become a Parole Officer. Problem for him is they don’t want him. He laughed and said,” “they know he’s lazy.” He continued to explain that they have enough problems in that department and didn’t want to add him to their case load. Wow, I thought he knew a lot more about him then I did. I didn’t see Mr. Lazy for the rest of the conference but I did get to meet and speak with teachers from all over the state of Michigan representing prison schools in both the upper and lower peninsulas. I found them to be quite interesting with their own tales to tell, but I found the Trades Instructors involved in the prison build program fascinating. They had much enthusiasm, and spoke of a program they had just become affiliated with.
.The Prison Build program was in its’ infancy. The administrator I had spoken to earlier had just signed a contract with Habitat For Humanity to build roofing trusses. They would be made to specification and then shipped to a HFH warehouse. The size of the Habitat For Humanity Build, the amount of houses being built, would determine the number of trusses they would need. I saw nothing but good things coming from this program and it evolved into much more than I’m sure was anticipated. When I met the Administrator for the first time and he explained what they were trying to achieve in the prison build program, I understood immediately what it could do for the inmate students. They could learn to become skilled carpenters. The technicalities of “apprenticeships” would have to be worked on, but a door of opportunity was being made available. Through out my career as an instructor I tried to find ways for my students to stay connected to the community. This would be one very good way. >>>Prison Stories To Be Continued>>>>
Psalm 139: 13-18
MJ-Way 