A fun poll!
If your incarcerated loved one could take ANY class that he/she wanted while behind the walls, what class do you think that would be?
This can be a class that is already available, or a class that doesn't even exist and they wished it did.
I have been trying to decide what I think Robert would choose if he had the chance, and I THINK that he would take a "how to make it in Hollywood" class.
He thinks he's a superstar already, so why not make it official right? lol
So, what do ya think?
I have posted a poll with a couple class names that already exist, and an "other" option.
Explain the class you chose and why if you feel so inclined! :)

Auto mechanics because he already knows a lot as is, but this way he could be certified.

Mine told me the other day he wants to study the art of seduction... :) Such a freak!!!

Oh, see, that would run a REALLY close second to my first choice for Robert.
Damn, what a great class! lol

Oh Jeni, Robert IS a superstar already! :D

Brian would love to be able to finish the SAP relapse class he'd started before getting transferred. They are starting SAP where he is now but no idea about whether they're going to offer the relapse/aftercare stuff too. I'm just pleased that he is encouraged about it, tho, and if he gets transferred back he really wants to finish what he started...

I think that Brian is the superstar! Robert could learn a few things from him! :)

Has wants to learn German

Jeni... HA!! I was crackin' up when I saw your comment about "how to make it in Hollywood" because he thinks he is a star!! :D Add my JD to that list!! ;)

I think JD's FIRST choice would be to start college courses... he got his GED when he was much younger and has been on waiting lists ever since for college courses.... of course those programs are slowly being phased out in IL which makes them harder and harder to get in to....

But aside from that I think he would want some kind of "performing arts" activity!! (singing, dancing, drama...)

I was once reading a report that was written by someone who assessed JD when he was still in juvenile detention-- just after his conviction and before his transfer to juvenile DOC.... I remember that JD's biggest concern at the time... and his ONE request is to PLEASE not be transferred to prison for two weeks so he could get the chance to perform in the musical they had been working on at the juvenile detention center... because he had the lead part!! Struck me of just how innocent and naive he still was.... the boy had just been convicted of murder and sentenced to 20 years-- but that was his worry!

computers...he loves computers

Joey is currently preparing his GED (his choice and I'm so proud of him :) ), and is attending "anger management" which was his counselor choice. Anyway, he kinda likes it, and it can't be that bad. The only problem is that due to budget cuts in FLDOC, there's a huge turn over of teachers, so they never finish what they started, each new teacher starting a new topic !! :mad:

If he had to take a class of his own, it would be french learning first, and of course "how to become a millionaire by selling honey buns worldwide" :D :D But those 2 classes are not an option at Florida State Prison.

Phil

lol!
Phil- I shoulda known!
JD's Wifey- how cool!!! Robert has the same "bug" and I think it is great. It's nice to see a guy who isn't afraid to express himself ya know? (WEll, sometimes its annoying cuz he gets SO dramatic, but you know what I mean! LOL) :)
StrangeAnimal- I WISH I could get Robert into computers. At this point he just doesn't care. :(
Haswtch- Since I am about 50% German, I think that would be a great class! Any foreign language class would be cool. Don't see that happening anytime soon, but we can dream right? :)

Well, he got his GED in prison ... but he actually graduated from high school -- which makes no sense to me. I guess he had enough credits to graduate, but he went to jail right before graduation, so they gave him a GED instead. But he scored in the top 97 percentile for the people that took the test. In prison, he took Anger Management, CGIP, AODA, and also a horticulture class through a technical college. Now he would like to take classes to obtain a business degree, however we just found out that his Pell Grant was taken away due to the fact that inmates are not eligible. Crappy. He has no classes left to take in there. MY choice for a class would be: "How to dump the whoreable (like the spelling? LOL) chick in your life that will do nothing but cause you pain, and open your eyes to the wonderful woman that has done everything in her power to make you happy the last 6 years." Think they offer that class?!?! :D

ken wants to take computer programing he was actually schedualed to take some courses before all of this happened. he already has had classes for aoda counceling he had 1 class to take before he got his licence. and he also had 1 class to go before he got his degree in horiculture too. so i guess you can say he is a jack of all traits.

When Eddy was free he was a Network Administrator...the guy has a natural knack for figuring out computers. One time during this bit my computer was wigging out and I was having trouble installing Windows and keeping stuff there without the the stupid registry detecting problems and resetting everything. We spent a fortune in back to back calls with him walking me through the process of fixing the registry. Coming from a guy who hadn't been near a puter in a long time, I was really impressed. He feels he's totally missing out with tech advances, and when I bought my new system and told him what it has he was like OMG!!! He'd LOVE to take more computer classes and keep up with state of the art trends.

JOE WOULD FARTHER HIS EDUCATION IN AUTO MECHANICS. HE ALREADY COMPLETED HIS GED, A COURSE IN AUTO MECHANICS, AND SEVERAL CLASS IN THE PRISON SYSTEM. I'M VERY PROUD OF HIM. HE WANTS TO CONTINUE HIS EDUCATION AND BECOME A TECH. SPECIALIST IN AUTOMOTIVES.

My baby wants to be a musician (he is an AWESOME singer--he sings to me:)) so hmm...he might fit into that Hollywood class too! ;) Oh and Kaci, that class sounds great if my baby was enrolled in it! LOL (Of course, he doesn't need the class...lol;)) I picked the Art class from the poll though, because he is a really good artist too, and so creative. He doesn't think he can draw well, but I think he is awesome, and he is so artsy in general, I know he would love it if he could take that kind of class.

Other.My boyfriend wants to take martial arts.

Don would love a 'how to start a small business' class because that's what we've been dreaming of for a while.

He'd probably enjoy a french class too - he learned french while he was in the French Foreign Legion - no kidding! - but he'd like to brush up on it and learn correct grammar. I hope he's found someone inside to talk french with - not unlikely in New Hampshire. Umm, that's not meant as a slam on Canadians :) just that there's a lot of francophones around here.

Definately auto mechanics

My better half wishes that there was more creative outlet available... they restrict the supplies and the means for 'crafts' and such - wish there was more of that...

My baby was a salesman (the legal kind) for awhile. He is so good with people. He has already talked about getting his AA to help him get back into that, maybe this time as a real estate agent.

Jackie is currently finishing a violent offender program & has had SATP. He'd love to take some sort of class that prepares him for life in the "free" world. So much has changed & he needs a refresher course! LOL
Jenn

I chose Anger management. because I know he wants to take one. they told him he would have to pay out of pocket 15 dollars for every class for the counselor time however. For right now Tennesse only offers classes at state level and they have chosen to make him serve his time in county ( 4 years in COUNTY) but it goes to show how badly they believe in rehabilitation or the severe need for new prisons.

mel would take anything that is going to give him a time-cut...he's 7th on the list to start a class on how to grow plants!! i dont even think he likes planets.

Mr. D would do any class that involved getting some grease on his hands:D

He volunteered to tear down, clean up and rebuild all of the cleaning equipment at the prison earlier this year. He was in his GLORY getting his hands on some wrenches, gears, things that turn and grease :D

mrs. d

I chose Other...
Not all offenders are men. Women prisons offer classes such as; Cosmetology, Fashion Design, Yoga....Yep, that's right Yoga. In county jail there was a class called "Hip Hop" I didn't go the first time, because I thought it was a dance class.By the way, no luck of a dance class in a county jail. Second time offered, I went. It was the best Aids Awareness Class I had ever been to. Yes, I'm pluggin you nice lady, (ex- offender)that brought that class from the bottom to the top. Excellent job! Get this...she has to beg to jail administrations all over to let her in. Don't they understand? She is Family.


Happy is the man whom God correcteth...Job 5:17


goldilx

Tommy has his GED from the inside and always takes the AA and NA classes as required and the anger management classes as well so his next best thing he loved was cars and fixing them.

hmm, C can't take any classes where he is as he is still on the GED waiting list. T likes aeronautics stuff, but don't think they have those. I think all three would welcome a class of any kind that is mechanical, to use their hands and be active, out of the cell. I know C and E would love something on the job market, something to prepare them for a job when they are out.

Will wants to go to barber college, guess he'll have to wait till he comes home.

Im speaking for myself...as Ive been there and done that before..if I could chose ANYTHING in the world to have taken while I was in prison..indeed I think..no I KNOW it would have been something like.."become a paralegal in prison class" ..."you can TAKE the class but oh..oops..too bad...youre a convicted felon and so this fine state can not "bond" you, therefore you"ll never actually be able to use it AND get PAID for it...oh well nice try anyway"..lol,but seriously I would have liked that anyway..

Definitely Other. Classes like creative writing, literature, geology, anthropology, astronomy and psychology. AA, NA and twelve stepping is OK but these programs are about finding oneself and making fine tune adjustments. Who has the will to fine tune while incarcerated? People need a new source of information to fascinate and inspire them to forget the cruelty of prison. Peace.

My man was a mechanic before he went in, so he would do anything to make him better at his job, for when he comes home.

Sonny would take the "Art of Seduction" class, for sure!!! It was so funny to see that because he was talking about all he's been reading and can't wait to try out on me!!! lol I can't wait either, but have to!! Darn it!! He's also interested in furthering his auto body skills so I guess he just likes bodies of all types!!! =:-D

i think it's kind of odd that you list 12 step programs as "classes" because it's not like you 'finish' them or anything! :) seriously though-- my husband had to start NA meetings in the prison that he is at-- there is such a demand on the Hospitals and Institutions (H&I) subcommitte, that there are not enough people to carry meetings into all the institutions. so-- the message here is-- if you're in recovery-- do service work and carry the message! :thumbsup:

Dre wants to learn French. I think he'd be interested in taking a Sex Education course. LOL

Steve would take a tattooing class...that way he could practice what he loves to do without having a be sneaky and risk getting infracted ;-)

I also chose "other". My b/f wanted totake a computer class, but was told that he would not be there long enough (that was almost 2 years ago). What he eventually found out is that those classes are for the younger people. He told me that they must think at 58 he's not smart enough to learn.
I really wish they had a Chef certification course. He is a certified chef but his certification expired in May of 2003.

I don't actually have "a loved one" behind bars but I thought of my "best friend", my penpal while I answered....He's very good in drawing, writing poems or lyrics so that would be his choice:)

He's artistic person....damn just the guy I like:D

Susan

Definately auto mechanics. When he first went in he did that but it was many years ago. Before he went to prison he did all his own work on his cars and buikt race cars. When he comes home he wants to build one for his son.

Lance would probly be doin somethin about cars....he already knows lots about em i dunno why he wouldnt want to pursue it even more!!

My guy is would take a class to be a licensed barber.

He would pick german first and astronomy second.

John really loves to work on cars so he would pick the mechanic one he also hasn't got his GED so he would probably do that one too but I know his 1st choice would be the mechanics one

My hubby would take Auto mechanics, as he already has his ticket, he wants to take it as a refresher. His second choice is computer programming.

I would love him to take a massage class, My back needs it lol :)

Landscaping! ok, horticulture, but not sure how to spell that!
He loves to grow stuff, and would feel like he's learning stuff to practice working on our yard when he comes home!

I Voted For Mechanics/hands On. In My Opinion, If It Requires Hands On, Their Time Would Go By Much Faster.

I think that my baby would take a class in either Psycology or Mind Reading, as he hasnt got a clue as to what goes on in my head sometimes, and would love to know!! LOL :p

My husband would take "How to get your head out of your butt and do what your destanied to do". My husband writes the best country music lyrics you ever heard. Becomming a country music writer is his hearts desire. But I just can't get him to see how good he is. I don't feel he will ever be happy until he takes a leap of faith and goes for it.

Well I can say is that I am very proud of my man he has gotten his GED( they actually have a ceremony I am so proud of him he did this on his own) and he is now going to NA classes since he has been locked up. He is also taking a carpenters class so he can be certified.

I asked my bf about this one when he called,and he said all convicts would make great plumbers when they get out because of all the crap(not the word he used)they have to deal with in the system.:rolleyes: I wonder if any prison offers plumbing courses?

well anger managment, GED and drug classes are mandatory for him.
I think he would sign up for How to be a better lover, not that he needs it, he's just a freak!
Or maybe a class on how to get rich quick without having to do a lot of work.

I think the class that my husband would take, falls under the "How to get your head out of your @$$ "category. He says he needs a few that are not offered there, like...How to be a husband, How not to be jealous, how not to be selfish, and how to be a dad. :haha: Funny how they always say EVERYTHING you have EVER wanted to hear them say when they are locked up eh?? :hmm: But, to be totally honest, the ONE class... that I, personally think that he would take..????......:idea: .....Is the "How to be a better lover class":blush: ...He's a freak too, so any input that he might be able to gain in that department......Know in your heart, that's what he would do!!! Hands Down!!:shrug: It's hopeless!!!

I voted for the mechanics class...he's always whining that I know more about cars than he does (mechanically speaking). My grandfather and 3 or 4 of my uncles are mechanics so...I learned some stuff growing up...and he can be such a baby about that. :haha:

BUT...I'd have to say...he would probably take a "freak" class too...just to see if there was something out there he didn't know about. LOL Not that I would mind or anything.... :D

Although Andy would pick a work with your hand and build something type of class for himself...

I would pick NA for him.... :)

You know- I started this thread quite a while ago- and I am SO happy to see that it is still going strong!!!
Oh, and just so you know- my boyfriend has been taking that "freak" class for so long, that now that he is home, he is the teacher! LOL
WOO!HOO!
:)~

I'm glad you still check in on the post that you started, its a pretty fun one too!! I hope my husband learns SOMETHING this time, preferably like HOW NOT TO GO BACK!!! But if he picks up some tips in the freak class that we didnt already know......hey, that will be a good second runner up prize I suppose~!!!!! :rolleyes:


You know- I started this thread quite a while ago- and I am SO happy to see that it is still going strong!!!
Oh, and just so you know- my boyfriend has been taking that "freak" class for so long, that now that he is home, he is the teacher! LOL
WOO!HOO!
:)~

I know my fiance would want to further his tutoring degree he got while he has been in there.

*247 days*

definality auto mechanic..

hes already my personal mechanic but being certified would be awesome! better chance of good money when he gets out

I voted other, because Nathan was going to school to work with young children before his *incident* He loves kids, so i think he would like to learn more about that... But he also has told me he wants a Big tool box and wants to learn how to fix things, :) Maybe he would be interested in Handy work????

What kind of art classes do they have in prison?

My husband's been in and out of the system so long that he knows everything about everything. He should learn more about the art of manipulation as that's what he tries to do all the time.

:) My Baby Would Take An Art Class. :)

I know James would love to be able to take some intense Bible studies while in there!

my hubbie just got his GED but, he really wants to take vet classes but...since he can't. Not in there anyway he would do something with his hands!

I think my husband would like creative writing, but what he should take is how to go 30 days without a write up

My man has always done construction, so I think hands on would be directly what he would go for, if he had a choice.

My baby is takin a masonary course already, luggin all them heavy bricks around gettin all them big ol muscles n stuff. *sigh* I can't wait till he comes home. Well, I can and I am but....you know what I mean.

What a fun question! I'm totally going to ask my penpal in my next letter, and I'll update with what he actually says.

If I were to take a guess though, I'd say something with computers. He was very into computers in the free world, and technology changes sooooo fast these days, I'm sure he'd love to update his skills. Other things that I think would appeal to him would be foreign languages, or cooking, or maybe, similar to the "how to make it in Hollywood" class, a class on "how to get your writing published".

He hasnt told me.. but he cuts hair... and does an amazing job.. they have a barber shop where he is... and im sure he wouldnt mind getting his licence

my honey works inthe barbershop now. And he is already a professional artist. So I picked other, cause he wants to take up business and real estate.

My fiance would love to take a flooring class - carpets, hardwood floors. Coffeewood Correctional offers one, but the waiting list was so long. He never got in and then was transferred.

I think he'd want to do something with construction so he can have a variety of job options to choose from when he gets out. It would be SWEET to see him shirtless and sweaty on a ladder!!!!!

other...
he would like to be an optometrist to be sure. he already has apprenticeship in optometry and loved and aced the physiology and math classes! he could so do it. he LOVES the stuff. whooda thunk it? eyes!?!?!?

'Where & How To Sell What You Write' class.

Like a Writers Market resource class.

I think my baby would take a class on making video games...He knows so much about computers and he is so addicted to the world of warcraft video game he could play that for 20 hours, sleep a few and right back at it

Jerome wants to take counseling courses and business management courses.
The other courses are no good for him. I am a believer that AA and all those classes only introduce you to more connections... cause so many of those people don't want to change.. just my opinion.
And I am happy to say that anger management is not needed for him... I am a different story. ;)

he would take an art class. he loves to draw and is good at it too.

art class for sure, he loves to sketch. he wants to go to the art institute of chicago one day...