7-3-2018

Hello, world!

Our Veterans Incarcerated Program has taken some great steps forward in the last 24 months.

I must give credit to the IDOC staff and wardens for this support and positive action. Many "inmates," "convicts," "gang-bangers," and "criminally minded" people do not like me saying such things, but it is the truth.

Our group is called GrahamVets and began over 25 years ago as a 503(c) non-profit state chartered organization. It began with the efforts of Vietnam veterans, both IDOC staff and Veterans Incarcerated working together.

I have been involved for the last 8 years, and we have done our best to continue the legacy began by our Nam brothers.

We have now reached over 85 members, and 13 of us are combat vets.

In February 2017, the IDOC director and wardens established a veterans housing unit. We very quickly earned a reputation of being the most stable and quiet HU in the facility.

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—them to return to a core military values outlook and regain their patriotism, but for some it's too late. They've been "criminals" for so long and have no desire to change.

When they are harmful to our group, GrahamVets, we must drop their membership. Most come around though. We have some great success stories to brag about.

Our model succeeds because it is voluntary and depends on the individual veteran's self-discipline. The common core values are patriotism and military culture's integrity.

This doesn't work with the general population of prisons because the criminal mindset can only produce warlords. Certain sincere religious programs could work too, but our government and society is so anti-religious.

In the last four months, over 20 veterans have obtained jobs. I'm certain it is due to a proven work ethic and discipline.

Two of our state representatives visited us in June, Avery Bourne and CD Davidsmeyer, with great encouragement about prison reform and rehabilitation programs.

Until next time,
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William David Linley