Converations With Inmates

Because the yard I worked on today is on lock down, all inmates had to be escorted, one on one, to and from the library.  This afternoon I was left with one very young inmate, about 22 or 23, while the rest of the group was escorted back to their buildings and one of the officers could return for him.  He's working on his case, and has been to the library every week for a few weeks.  He is always very respectful and laughs at my jokes (or attempts at jokes). 

He has been in prison since he was 18.  He has tattoos on his head, neck, hands and who knows were else (who wants to know).  I asked him if it had hurt when he received the tattoos on his head.  He told me they didn't, but that those on his neck did.  He also expressed regret at ever having gotten them, and wished they could be removed because he knew that people looked at him differently.  We had a brief discussion about how some people respond to being served their dinner at a restaurant by someone with tattoos on their neck and knuckles.

I asked him if he'd be paroling anytime soon, and he said only if he could get another chance in court.  He said that the District Attorney didn't want him back on the street.  I told him that the "people" probably didn't want him back on the street either.  He replied that I was probably right, and then said that he just got caught up in the wrong crowd.  I replied, "Everyone thinks they got caught up in the wrong crowd.  If that's so, then who really is the 'wrong crowd'?"  He was quiet for a minute and then said, "I guess I should be honest and say that I was both.  I got caught up in the wrong crowd, but I was also the wrong crowd." Honest insight from a very young inmate.  It takes many others a lot longer to have such insight. 

It makes my mother's heart sad at times when I meet these young men who have already thrown their lives away by the choices they make.  Some of them really have the potential to be productive citizens.  But too many times, it's too late for them.