My Observations

I have now been at Shawangunk for a month...

The Christian community here is a little smaller in size than at my former facility. While the turnout for the weekly Bible studies is about the same in both places. However, in my observation, the inmates at Shawangunk appear overall to be healthier and physically stronger, and more self-assured. This, I believe, is because Shawangunk has a much smaller population of "special needs" offenders.

At Sullivan there was a substantially high percentage of those with special needs. This being those in need of some form of psychiatric care, or they have a serious physical disability such as being sight-impaired. There were also more men at Sullivan who had varying degrees of learning disabilities. Hence the need for inmates who could help as caregivers, or as mobility guides for those with extensive vision problems, or as tutors.

While at Sullivan I worked primarily as a caregiver, which according to my job assignment was officially titled, Program Aide. For the most part, my calling, if I could refer to it as this, was working with all kinds of special needs men. So now I'm wondering just where I will fit in here. In a way, I feel out of place. Yet I am confident that at some point the Lord will reveal His plan and purpose for me here at Shawangunk.

D. B.