Have any of your loved ones had classes while incarcerated that you feel may have helped them? (or are still helping them) Meaning, violent offenders, NA, AA, GED, etc.
Robert has taken 3 classes. Two were drug classes, and one was the violent offenders class.
He is still in the VO class, will be until he paroles out in January. He finished the NA, and the other drug class got in the way of his "work" schedule, so he gave it up. (Not too happy about that, but whatever)
Even though I don't feel that Robert should be incarcerated because of his drug habit, and I would MUCH rather that he would have been sent to an inpatient rehab center, I have to say that I do get some comfort knowing that he was able to get into these classes.
So, for those who have loved ones in these classes, especially the drug classes, does it seem that they have helped?

My guy has done AA and Anger Management, plus he is in Assault Offenders now, each and everyone of these classes has made a difference in him, because it was his choice to change, and finally find out who he really is! :)

Oh definately, Jeni! My Justin was incarcerated actually for something he didn't do. However, if it weren't for his drug habit, he wouldn't have been in the situation that got him blamed.
Justin has turned a whole new leaf. He is totally against drugs and starting to feel so much better about himself. He actually has hopes for the future instead of just negative thoughts. Things were getting very bad for him, and he just wanted to die, but every day now, he tells me how happy he is that he's still here and how he can't wait to get out and make me happy.
He has awhile to go........two and a half years, and even though I feel he shouldn't have gone and that he's ready to be out now, I'm actually glad he went. If he didn't, he'd probably have died of an OD by now.
Oh, and he also did get his GED while in there too.

My man is taking welding classes. I know you didn't listen anything like that, but I know it has helped him so much. He now has a skill that will help him when he gets out to get a good job.

OpalStardust- that is awesome to hear!!! I understand when you say that you were actually glad that he went cuz he might have OD'd by now. I feel exactly the same way!
Giggles- I would have listed welding classes if I could have remembered the name for them! LOL
When I say classes, I mean any and all classes, whether they're drug related, offense related, or classes that let them express creativity. Anything. It's great to hear that they can actually learn something in prison that can take them far when they get out.
Denim-I am right there with ya girl! :)

The changes that my husband has undergone are to me...a miracle...he was the first one to make excuses for why he got in trouble...pity party for him...But he has been in for eight months and the changes in him are so unbelievable...he has taken complete responsibility for what has happened and has been so considerate and concious of what me and our son are going through..he is always telling me that he has so much that he wants to share about himself with me when he returns home and it is amazing to finally be thankful that my husband is where he is because if it were not for him being incarcerated...I really don't think there would be a future for us..In our case the option of classes turned out to be a blessing because it opened my husband's eyes, mind and heart to change...

Joy

Joey takes Anger Management classes, and he prepares his GED, which I'm very proud of !! :D

He likes AM classes, I don't know if he's changed or not, but he enjoys the class. The problem is that probably due to short cuts in FLDOC budget, this class leaders don't stay, and he has had something like 4 or 5 different ones in 4 months. So recently he told me that now he doesn't like it as much as he did, probably because the new leader doesn't really "handle" the group, it seems that everybody speaks and no one listens. :(

Concerning his GED, he's now having different tests, and he's doing good. He had some problems at maths, but his teacher seems to be a really nice guy, who took time to explain him fractions in a different and simple way, and now he got it and got better results at his last tests. (How can one explains fractions ?? I have no idea !! ). Anyway, he knows how proud I am about his GED, and he really wants to pass it, I think he needs to prove HIMSELF he can do something good despite his past. I guess he also wants to pass it for me !! Now I know how parents feel when their kids take exams !! :D

He shares his work in his letters, sometimes he's very happy of his results, sometimes not. So I always encourage him and reassure him, he needs to know I support him 100 %.

Since he's on CM1, he can't take the test right now, but hopefully he'll be moved to CM3 at the beginning of next year and will then take the test.

Phil

My loved one is taking Anger Management classes (he says he had been required to take 4). Life Skills (which he really enjoys, says he is having fun and is learning so much from). Adult Education and a Mental Health Peer Monitoring Group. He has also got his job assignment. So his plate is really full when you plus in studying. So within the last 2 months (when all of the above started taking place) I really miss those long 12 to 16 page letters I was getting from him. Oh well, I can adjust cause I know him gaining the knowledge he is now taking the classes is going to benefit him greatly, and me to in our free-world union.

Jala

I think anger management classes are great. In fact, I have even thought about taking a class myself. I am not a violent person by any stretch of the imagination. But, I know that I have some anger built up, and when I get mad, I don't know how to express it in a healthy way-meaning, I don't express it. Does that make sense?
Look at me making this post about me! LOL

I'm a big fan of the classes and programs available inside! They have done a great deal for the changes I've seen in Brian from before and currently. He's been involved in AA almost from the start of his incarceration; gone through SAP and later taught Orientation and Goals classes in the SAP program; and was taking classes in a program there called Life Skills or something like that (can't remember!) before he got moved, had been through several terms of that. These type classes can really promote some major positive changes, I've seen the results not only in him but in his peers that have been through the same programs. I was very pleased to hear recently that the facility he is in now is about to start several programs, including SAP and some trade programs, as well as opening two honor dorms. Those things are a necessity in prisons as far as I'm concerned!!!

Brian also had the opportunity (before Clinton cut out Federal funds for higher education in the prison system) to get an associate's degree in liberal arts at a local college several years ago, and graduated with a 4.0. Things like that can really make a major difference with rehabilitation, in my book!!

I think all the classes are wonderful too. Too bad here in Michigan they are cutting alot of them. I am not too sure if they have yet, but I did read an article about how they are cutting some classes to people in higher levels. I can't remember exactly what I read, so now that I am curious again I am going to go have to find it.
They say that these classes aren't "as important" as, for example, education. So because of the states budget, they have to eliminate. I don't want to see education cut, but by cutting these classes for inmates, thats like saying "we don't care about you at all".
It sucks. I think that classes are extremely important for any inmates mental well being. I am very glad the Robert was fortunate enough to have the classes that he had. :)

That is so stupid to me for them to decide classes aren't important! As far as I see it, education can make a HUGE difference between an inmate getting out and becoming a productive member of society with a foundation of education behind them, and getting out with no skills and possibly (probably?!) returning to a life of crime. I'll never understand "prison logic"...

Var is taking a health and fitness course through Stratford Career Institute. It's fairly inexpensive and he'll be able to become an accreditied personal trainer before he comes home. They have a lot of correspondance courses at an affordable price. Check it out!

I agree that classes (and education opportunities) are VERY extremely important for any inmates' mental well being and a healthy self-esteem. I have noticed my baby's self-esteem rise and he has told me he is having fun with his classes. Being productive in a positive way that promotes a better future for him upon his release is always an added plus, not only for him, but for me also!!! And I have admitted to him that I probably could use some anger management classes to better learn how to positively and constructively deal with anger.;) :)

what do you think of this?

my pen-pal friend is not in for a violent crime, but he takes them anyway for credit and to fill up time. but....

he says it concerns him that the people who teach them are often *really* unqualified, <no degrees, sometimes just religious layman> and what they say about some of his classmates counts for a lot in parole hearings and the like.
this is kind of troubling...

sometimes a teacher will just not like an inmate, because of the nature of their crime, sometimes for race, etc. teachers are human too, and unless they have the rigourous training/life experience to remove these kind of prejudicial obstacles, it have sometimes gotten bad for the guys.

btw, often these are the same people who adminster life-altering 'psychopathology' tests - a test that has been discredited by even the author of the test itself. these scores follow the guys forever.

any thoughts?

That is awful anna, but I can see it happening. I know it is not like this everywhere though. My man's welding teacher has be welding for a long time, plus anothe teacher from another prison can certify people too.

I think it is a shame when a teacher plays favorite or judges people, unfortunately that happens everywhere..even in our regular public schools.

I still think it is great that there are opportunities for inmates to help better themselves. I know if my man was not learning something useful for when he re-enters society, he would probably turn right back to his life of crime.

MAYBE, I'm being naive (M A Y B E) but it just makes sense to me that and classes and/or educational opportunities that our loved ones take and follow throughton till completion is a GOOD THING, now matter what. It's a boster to their positive self-esteem and provides a tremendous hope and skill that they can tap in to have a upper hand on the free-world life. And definately a positve to divert all the negativity going on around them being incarncerated. I just think the calsees/educational opportunities are better taken advantage of than not.

I agree with you Jala. I know the satisfaction my man has, and the pride he has when he passes his welds. Also his teacher is very positive and lets him know what a good wleder he is. Everybody needs to have a positive self-esteem, and a way to help them feel better about themselves.