Date: 03/23/2019 01:51 PM CDT
Subject: Day 2 Kewanee

Hit the yard after dinner for a brisk walk of eight laps and watched some of teh first soccer game of the season. A Scrimmage game that had a great turn out of over 20 guys I might jump into a future game if I can keep up.

Already I can see a different attitude in the basketball and soccer games. In the regular prison games and cutthroat and often turn violent. Here, the men treat it as a sport. Teamwork and encouragement, and a place for the less skilled to still participate.

Looking forward to getting into some running this season. We have access to the yard all day at any time. So depending on my class schedules I can get some good PT time.

I attended my first yoga class here. It's been at six months since I attended a class. The instructor is a civilian volunteer who comes in every week. I do need these super stretches and calming exercises.

Today is a class on CDL driving that I will attend. The warden is having trouble finding a school that will bring a CDL course in here and also problem with the DMV to authorize licenses. Anyone out there have any contacts or ideas to help?

The environment we live in reminds me more of a college setting. Which is wonderful! You can quickly discern which guys are struggling to adapt, as they continue to do things the "prison way" or "convict way". Their conversations quickly go to "kicking it on the block," talking about dealing or making dope and their gang buddies.

Most (90%) are adjusting their behavior to be more respectful and professional, what we would call normal.

It is also similar to the show Big Brother as there is a complete camera coverage used to great effect to catch inappropriate behavior. It is sad to imagine a society that cannot function properly unless you're being monitored 24/7 by cameras. I have had London is like this. In our "prison" setting, this provides the best safety and behavior checks for everyone here.

Later,
David