Nicholas Lear
#141815

Stupidity and Corrections

Therapy, one of the greatest opportunities the corrections can provide inmate? I believed that the Sex Offender Treatment Program (SOTP) was such a powerful experience in helping me learn how to function more in life that I manipulated myself into a position to get more time in it. And so, with our 17 months into a 18-month program, I forced my therapist to remove me by threatening to withhold the mainenance contract—the last assignment—if she didn't remove me for using another inmate's pain reliever. This proved to be one of the most stupid choices I've made, securing my idiot status.

The therapeutic environment her at the Utah Department of Corrections (UDC) is one that bolsters its number of "volunteer" participants by incorporating an extremely punitive set of living restrictions. Those whom enter either fail to volunteer for or get removed from therapy must endure. These living restrictions actually go beyond those outlined for punitive measures, so while on those reduced levels, you are not allowed any of the following: phone calls, visits, any educational or programming classes, employment, any commissary except writing materials and hygiene supplies, radio or any electronics, and various other restrictions.

Individuals not volunteering for therapy are subject to the restrictions until their written requests are allowed back on a waiting list for the program is approved. SOTP has a six month minimum removal period before one is eligible to reapply, and any requests that fail to earn the applicant the privilege of being placed back on the waiting list results in an additional six month removal period. All removals and subsequent denials for re-admittance are deemed refusals to volunteer or participate.

Due to the growth I had experienced while in therapy, I was willing to set for 6 months at these restricted levels just for the opportunity for additional therapy. With 20 years of incarceration fueling my institutionalism and my prior track record, I figured the restrictions were a small price for a chance at learning how to live a "functional life." Despite my request to be removed from therapy being frowned upon by the SOTP supervising therapist, my therapist, the parole board, and the captain of my housing, I pushed the issue. With 17 months before I was scheduled to appear before the parole board, I saw removal as an opportunity to get 11 additional months of therapy after the six months of restrictions, so I manipulated the system to those ends.

Have I mentioned that I'm an idiot?

I'm an idiot practicing with utter stupidity in thinking SOTP would invest in my personal success by serving what might have been in my best interests. This became too clear when, after the six month prescribed punishment, they refused my request for re-admittance. They are managers of inmates, not individuals. Objectified articles of commerce in the business of "corrections." They serve their best interests, not the individuals.

Of all the things to justify refusing me re-admittance, they questioned my motivations for therapy. WHAT? Weeks from transition, I put myself in this punitive setting just to get additional therapy, and they deny me because of my lack of motivation. Another correctional kicked me in the teeth out of spite, I've little doubt.

For over a year, I've been stuck. Not only denied treatment but because of my failure to "volunteer" for SOTP. I am not allowed to participate in any of the rehabilitative programs and opportunities—education, jobs, life skill classes, etc. I've watched others get removal, get readmitted, and removed again while I wait.

What is "corrections" really correcting when they put their vindictiveness ahead of inmate growth and rehab Where is the social responsibility in this? Not that any of us inmates have issues with respecting authority. They teach us to become better citizens with each spirit-killing blow.