Thursday, June 9, 2011

A Lesson in "NO"

The other day I had a session with several inmates still housed in the Reception Center.  Some of them are very new to prison; others are "frequent flyers."  One particular inmate asked for a copy from the Penal Code.  I usually do not copy pages but direct them to a pen/pencil and a sheet of paper.  This inmate indicated that he had learning disabilities and needed to have his cellie help him understand.  So I copied the page.  After I called for the officer(s) to come escort the inmates back to the building, I had a couple inmates say they wanted to get some paper.  I told them it was too late to process their Trust Account Withdrawals as custody was on their way.  The "learning-disabled" inmate said he needed it to practice his letters.  Haha!  I told him he was welcome to take a few sheets of scratch paper (recycled).  He said, "But there's words on one side."  I replied, "Turn it over to the blank side."  He then said, "But the words will show through and I'll be confused.  Remember, I have learning disabilities."  I knew he was trying to "manipulate" me into selling or giving him blank paper.  I went up to the counter and said, "Okay.  You say you have learning disabilities.  Let me start with teaching you the meaning of the word NO!"  He laughed and said, "Good one!"  He then gave up the battle and went and sat down.  LOL!!!

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