Much of the general public is unaware of the nobble efforts prison inmates often make...
...to try to reach the youth of their respective communities with well-intentioned warnings to stay away from gangs and drugs, and to flee violence.
For the most part, the public is uninformed that there are those in prison who deeply regret their criminal actions. And in order to make amends to society, reach out to their neighborhoods through churches and organizations with the hope of keeping at-risk young persons from following in their footsteps.
Such has been the case here at Sullivan Correctional Facility. Today, in the prison's gymnasium, there was an all-day Anti-violence seminar which was organized by an inmate-run organization known as Quality Impact.
The theme was "Violence in a Second." It only takes a second for someone to point a gun at another person, and pull the trigger.
Many of these men took to the podium to share their own stories of how they came to prison, and what each man has been doing with his life since those steel doors closed shut behind them. I have thus recorded some of the highlights of their personal messages. To me, their words are valid and wise, and are worthy to be heard.
And here are the voices of some of these men:
Tony said, "We must become accountable for our actions." Our neighborhoods are like "battlefields" in which life is often short and fast lived. Then Louis said, "If you carry a gun, you are part of the problem. But now you must become part of the solution."
While Franklin declared, "We need to help young persons realize their dignity and self-worth," as opposed to young persons leading selfish lives out of "attention seeking."
Mr. Sanchez said that when he was growing up, it was considered a "badge of honor" for a man to get arrested and go to prison. He realizes now that such thinking was foolish.
And Mr. Blake said, "We must take the 'glory and drama' out of violence, like the way it is so often portrayed on television or in the movies."
Steven added that, "Violence needs to be seen for what it really is, a cowardly act."
Andy expressed the need to really learn what "Loving your neighbor" is all about. It has to be more than mere "empty words."
Then Pedro said, "These kids need to know they have a future, and need to look beyond the 'quick thrills' of the present moment."
Next came Felix, who had at one time been a high ranking member of the dangerous Latin Kings gang. He said, "These youths have no feelings. They do things without thinking about the consequences."
Then Dewey explained that the kids from his neighborhood lack positive male role models because most of the men in his community, he told us, were either on drugs, or in prison, or dead.
While Shah-Nah tearfully stated that he only wishes he could go back and start life over again, this time older and wiser.
And on and on it went as one after another took his turn to share something. There were twenty-two speakers in all out of sixty who were in attendance. I, myself, sat near the back so as to better take in what was said. And this journal entry is a product of some of their voices.
D.B.
Note: The names of all these individuals has been changed.
For the most part, the public is uninformed that there are those in prison who deeply regret their criminal actions. And in order to make amends to society, reach out to their neighborhoods through churches and organizations with the hope of keeping at-risk young persons from following in their footsteps.
Such has been the case here at Sullivan Correctional Facility. Today, in the prison's gymnasium, there was an all-day Anti-violence seminar which was organized by an inmate-run organization known as Quality Impact.
The theme was "Violence in a Second." It only takes a second for someone to point a gun at another person, and pull the trigger.
Many of these men took to the podium to share their own stories of how they came to prison, and what each man has been doing with his life since those steel doors closed shut behind them. I have thus recorded some of the highlights of their personal messages. To me, their words are valid and wise, and are worthy to be heard.
And here are the voices of some of these men:
Tony said, "We must become accountable for our actions." Our neighborhoods are like "battlefields" in which life is often short and fast lived. Then Louis said, "If you carry a gun, you are part of the problem. But now you must become part of the solution."
While Franklin declared, "We need to help young persons realize their dignity and self-worth," as opposed to young persons leading selfish lives out of "attention seeking."
Mr. Sanchez said that when he was growing up, it was considered a "badge of honor" for a man to get arrested and go to prison. He realizes now that such thinking was foolish.
And Mr. Blake said, "We must take the 'glory and drama' out of violence, like the way it is so often portrayed on television or in the movies."
Steven added that, "Violence needs to be seen for what it really is, a cowardly act."
Andy expressed the need to really learn what "Loving your neighbor" is all about. It has to be more than mere "empty words."
Then Pedro said, "These kids need to know they have a future, and need to look beyond the 'quick thrills' of the present moment."
Next came Felix, who had at one time been a high ranking member of the dangerous Latin Kings gang. He said, "These youths have no feelings. They do things without thinking about the consequences."
Then Dewey explained that the kids from his neighborhood lack positive male role models because most of the men in his community, he told us, were either on drugs, or in prison, or dead.
While Shah-Nah tearfully stated that he only wishes he could go back and start life over again, this time older and wiser.
And on and on it went as one after another took his turn to share something. There were twenty-two speakers in all out of sixty who were in attendance. I, myself, sat near the back so as to better take in what was said. And this journal entry is a product of some of their voices.
D.B.
Note: The names of all these individuals has been changed.
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