Thanks for writing! I finished your transcription. What you say is so true. As I was typing it, I re-read what you said about gift-envy and gift-protection and that completely applies to me. I've always thought that I'm an egomaniac by nature, but reading that made me a little comforted by the fact that others do those things too. Oh, and I loved your metaphor with the rainbows and orchestra... brilliant!
My question is whether doing the "right" thing in prison is really enough to turn their life around. Don't get me wrong, a life sentence for joy riding is ridiculous....but I feel that real rehabilitation should include making amends to ones past...not just building on ones future. It seems much easier to me to move past mistakes and hope to not repeat them than to face up to those mistakes and deal with the aftermath of my decisions. How many children follow in their parents footsteps to that same behavior? Too many. Are you doing the right things when dealing with those you victimized, hurt, or ignored as you do when reaching out to support strangers?
Hey Daniel. I've been missing hearing from you. Just know that as soon as possible I want to get you a letter. I hope all is well with you and that your classes and writings are coming along as you have wanted.So far all of this sounds really good and hope people are responding. Be well and know I sure do miss the conversation. Sorry for the delay. Please forgive me for that, it has not been intentional. D.
I guess what I'm saying is...don't be a dingo. I mean...all joking aside, I understand what you are trying to say...but it's a bad argument. If a person can be a better person simply because they watched cable programming, were more up on current events...then there is a huge sector of the free citizenry that doesn't qualify. It is not considered a necessity...not when there are groceries, rent, utilities, clothing and medical bills to deal with that take priority. A prisoner is given all of those things at no cost. My co-worker puts in an eight hour day, away from her children, her home...and nearly every cent goes for those necessities. Tell me...why you should get what she cannot for free? How are you better? I'll call you equal...but definitely not better.
Now...what I propose is that if an inmate wishes to have these luxuries, then he earn them somehow...real work, real rate of pay...just like in the outside world. This would prepare him for the reality of becoming a free man/woman. I find this to be a fair solution to a "fair punishment."
spryte
(PS - I had to break this into two pages cuz I wrote too much)
RSS
Now...what I propose is that if an inmate wishes to have these luxuries, then he earn them somehow...real work, real rate of pay...just like in the outside world. This would prepare him for the reality of becoming a free man/woman. I find this to be a fair solution to a "fair punishment."
spryte
(PS - I had to break this into two pages cuz I wrote too much)