Reflections on Life from Death Row

Many of the men I see every week spent years - and several over a decade - in solitary confinement.  The impact to the human soul is astounding.  In their brokenness grows either deeper fuller hate or they find the nourishment for the seeds of positivity and grace we all carry in our hearts.  I spend time with the men who have found and then nourished those seeds and they speak of the moment they realized that they are responsible for their lives.  When that kicks in, the solitary environment becomes a welcome space to explore the unknown world within.  They learn to embrace their alone time and use it to grow and transform.  What lessons I receive from these men!  Just last night, one of them shared deeply about his discovery of listening, how all the answers show up if he just slows down to listen.

 Beautiful!

 I commend to your reading Shakespeare Saved My Life Ten Years In Solitary with the Bard, , Laura Bates, an Indiana State English Professor who taught Shakespeare initially taught a group of prisoners in solitary in the Indiana State prison system. Larry Newton was convicted of murder at 17 and given life with no probation. Studying Shakespeare in prison made huge changes in his life.  I communicate with and see a 35 year old prisoner in the Idaho Prison system who was given 20 years at age 17 when the owner of a truck he was stealing while drunk jumped in the back, was later thrown out and died of injuries three months later. He has changed his life through introspection and dog training for the Idaho Humane Society, which is how I met him. He will be eligible for parole 6 months before his 37th birthday. Our prison system is a warehousing system that needs serious reform.  These men and women need educating and training to be productive citizens when they get out so they don't just go back to the streets. My experience has taught me that most are able and willing to change if given the chance and real opportunities to grow as human beings.