I'm Handling My Own Rehab

When was the idea adopted that prison should be more than a cell to contain the convicted and throw away the key? Because I haven’t experienced any real attempts to rehabilitate those of us currently incarcerated. It seems the criminal justice has reverted to the anachronistic idea of way of containing and controlling our every move while on the “inside”, and not really provide the kind of re-education or resources that assist us in re-orienting and succeeding when we are released back to integrate into society.

We are barely treated humanely on the inside. We have to fight to get dental work done, have mail delivered in an expedient way or get pen fillers to write our family and friends, it seems that the Department of Corrections is working against its own professed agenda.

And while I acknowledge and agree that my behavior on February 10, 2007, in the Safeway parking lot was beyond inappropriate, and warranted punishment because I did frighten people with my unbridled anger and rage, I have learned from my mistake and I will not be acting a fool like that ever again.

But at the same time, my so-called rehabilitation has occurred because I have directed my behavior and my aspirations to behave differently when I leave DVI. I am reading books that my friend and fiancée have sent, engaged in my own penchant for deep introspection and good, old solid determination to finally have the CDC’s hold and control of my life released because I don’t want to contribute to the profit margin of the BUSINESS known as the prison industry.