Some of the Prisons offer an outreach program that Inmates can contribute to by taking a group of young people and telling them their story and how and why they came to prison. Also, the inmates tell the kids how the environment in prison is. They don't use scare tactics too much but to some extent they do.

I have seen this be very beneficial to both Young People and the Inmates. It gives the inmate a feeling that he is contributing something back to society. It lets the Young People know that by making wrong choices, they too can end up in Prison.

This is a very good part of the Prison System and I wish there would be more of it.


Donna

Donna... I totally agree!! It is amazing how we will listen to what someone else has to say when we feel they have been through something similar.... I am having JD write a letter to one of my best friends little sister's right now... because she is acting as if because she is a teenager, she can do whatever she wants and nothing will catch up with her... I asked him to share his story with her and tell her what it is like to have that much time taken from your life... I will let you know what kind of impact it has!!

JD

I HOPE IT WORKS. IT'S REAL HARD FOR FAMILY TO RELATE TO A TEENAGER. A TOTAL STRANGER WHO HAS BEEN IN A SITUATION CAN SOMETIMES MAKE A BETTER IMPRESSION THAN ANY FAMILY MEMBER. BECAUSE, AFTER ALL, WE ARE ALL STUPID HUH1

DONNA

Well... there is definitely no one as hard headed and stubborn as a defiant teenage girl!!! WOW.... I think I owe my mom an apology.... but of course I never acted like that?!? :)

Teenagers can have a lot of different aspects and she is in a crazy world trying to figure out where she is. I think that JD writing her would be a help and just let her know she is not the only one who is going through this stuff.

This is a good idea. I remember when I was in high school my sociology class went to Parchman Prison here in Mississippi. One of the inmates got on the bus with us, told us his story and went through what it was like on a day-to-day basis. It really affected me, maybe not enough to stay straight, but I'll never foreget the experience. We toured the prison grounds, cemetary, buildings, etc. It was both a scary and eye-opening experience.

Hey Donna :)
My man has participated in a program similar to the one you described. He toured all over into the High Schools and Junior Highs talking to kids about everything from drugs, to staying in school, to choices and how bad ones affect the rest of your life( as in his case.) He still has all the letters the kids wrote him afterwards and they are cherished reminders that he has made a difference in young lives. Something like this restores solf-confidence where it has been lost and makes these men feel they have something very good to share with the next generation.

Take Care,
Shannon

I THINK THIS IS AN EXCELLENT WAY TO HELP BOTH KIDS AND PRISONERS --AS SHANNON SAID, FOR PRISONERS TI HELPS INCREASE THEIR SELF-ESTTEM AND MAKES THEM FEEL THAT THEY ARE DOING SOMETHING THAT MAKES A POSITIVE DIFFERENCES IN OUR WORLD, AND FOR KIDS IT GIVES THEM A REALITY CHECK ON CONSEQUENCES FOR BAD DECISIONS.GREAT PROGRAM!!

SHERRI

This outreach program that Budwoman is talking about helps tremendously!! This is how I met BC. He is a great speaker with kids and will one day be a great father. I have a son who is 20 and had some problems in the past with the law. BC has helped him alot. My son has more respect for my Fiancee in prison than he has for his own father.

Kenny is going to be doing something similar, though not in the prison. He will be speaking to a group of alcoholic teens about his own struggle with drugs and alcohol. He says that so many people have given him their time and energy that he wants to pay back. And as I feel in my own struggle, I have not gone through all of this for nothing if I can help at least one person move past their own obstacles. Unfortunately, kids will be kids...right down to selective tuning. But it is worth it if you can at least reach one in your lifetime.

that is so good to share the experiences that we have to face as criminals. I puts it right in there face and it is then real.. Not in a scare tactic but in a real way on the level.. hats off to all of those who help in the effort to help our youth...

Jasmine-that is fantastic that Kenny is doing that-and I agree totally-if you reach only one person, it is worth it.

sherri

My mentor (one of my professors that I did 4 years of research with) always told me that my goal should not be to change the world, only to make a signifigant positive impact on one persons life. Those guys could each change the life of one kid, wouldn't that be wonderful!
Michelle

Our Children are our future.... If these inmates can change the direction one kid takes and stops them from committing a crime or using drugs or getting drunk and shooting someone then we will have changed our future.


Right now we have kids who go into schools and shoot masses of classmates. We have kids that shoot and kill teacher, parents and others. We have kids that are consistantly in trouble for one thing or another.

This must be corrected. If these guys can make a difference in a life and turn a young person around, then we may have a chance to even have a future.


Donna