The Real Prison
What would you say is the worst aspect of being in prison?

If you’re an inmate or ex-offender, you undoubtedly have your own answer.  If you’ve never been incarcerated, think it over.  Would it be the loss of freedom?  The lack of privacy?   The boredom?  The noise?  The guilt and shame? The constant fear, and the cold, hard front required to avoid being preyed upon? 

All these things play a part in making prison a misery.  But many offenders point to something else that is even harder to bear:  the loneliness. 

“The real prison is more formidable than concrete walls, steel bars, and gun towers,” writes inmate Bobby Lewis.  “The real prison is a loneliness that sinks its teeth into the souls of people, an emptiness that leaves a sick feeling inside.” 

Writer Anthony Davis concurs.  “Any shame, terror, depravity, injustice or humiliation that may be connected with prison must take a back seat to the dark isolation and cold loneliness you feel. . . . . I’m not saying that the popular concepts of prison life are inflated, underrated or totally wrong.  I only mean that it’s secondary to the isolation and loneliness. It’s indescribable to a person who hasn’t experienced such pain.” 

Dimensions of Loneliness
What makes prison such a lonely place to be?  There are at least three dimensions to that loneliness:

1. Institutional Living
One source of loneliness is the the dehumanizing nature of the institution itself.  For ex-offender Jerry Miller, this experience of “being looked through instead of at” is the chief source of suffering.  “Even if someone hates you, they look at you--why do you think inmates act so tough to the guards?” says Miller. “Prison culture runs on it, everyone needs it--simple human respect as an individual. People can stand almost any torture, but being convinced they ‘don’t matter’ or are ‘less than’ is the real head trip.” 

Tyrone Jones has a similar take on being made invisible.  “This place has a way of denying you your identity. All I am in this society is a number.  We are tagged like cattle . . . No name or personality, just a number--and that’s going with me to my grave.” 

2. Convict Culture
Another major contributor to prison loneliness is the “convict culture.” “Everything becomes a con game--everyone is trying to get over on everyone else,” writes John Garner. “There is no real human affection, no pats on the back, no words of encouragement. The only thing that lives here is pain, suffering, and, most of all, loneliness.”  Even worse than the lack of encouragement, there is coldness, hardness, and fear.  “I cannot show gentleness in my world because in here, nothing is gentle.  I cannot show kindness because it’s a weakness in my world, and to be weak is to invite hurt and pain,” writes Davis. That means creating a false front. In his poem, Dominick Mains describes “removing the mask” at night and praying to God for forgiveness: 

“God, as you know,
the mask I greatly need,
But please don’t let it become a
Permanent part of me.”

3.  Separation from Loved Ones
Being separated from loved ones is another crushing burden of loneliness.  For some inmates, this is the “mere” heart-wrenching pain of missing a loving spouse or children. For many, however, it’s worse. Many families cut off contact because they are   ashamed of the inmate, already estranged, living many hours away, or simply struggling with their own lives.  “I didn’t speak with my family for the first month of my incarceration,” writes Tyrone Jones.  “I ached from not knowing if they cared about me or if they even knew what happens in this place.” As Bobby Lewis puts it, “The real prison is the empty feeling that gnaws at a man who waits with anxious anticipation for the letters that never come, and the visits that never happen.”

The Effects of Loneliness
What is the effect of this loneliness on an offender?  Prison researcher Robert Johnson (Hard Time: Understanding and Reforming the Prison) notes, “Hope is ultimately the belief that one has not been abandoned and forgotten but has a chance, however remote, to live once again as a citizen in the free society.”

Loneliness snuffs out that hope. Many inmates are literally friendless, with no one to share ideas, feelings, or future plans. Not a recipe for success! A permanent hardening of heart is also a frightening possibility. That is a recipe for disaster.

How can we relieve the crushing weight of prison loneliness so that offenders have the hope and support needed to change? 

AMICUS Answers:
Building caring, respectful relationships with offenders is the foundation of all AMICUS programs and in many ways the “secret to our success.”  AMICUS believes that interventions cannot be effective unless the offender first feels cared about (see change model, right). Nowhere is that primary focus on friendship more evident than in ONE-TO-ONE. 

ONE-TO-ONE is the modern successor of the first AMICUS program, founded over 35 years ago by a judge and an inmate.  The basic idea remains unchanged. ONE-TO-ONE matches motivated inmates with volunteers of the same gender and compatible interests, goals, and personalities. The role of the volunteer is to be a  partner in developing an honest, accepting and respectful relationship. Volunteers visit at least monthly, write letters, and may accept inmates’ calls. 

Each ONE-TO-ONE relationship is unique.  Some chiefly provide a welcome break from the loneliness of prison life--some light, safe talk in a haven of normal human interaction.  Others  delve deeply into feelings, goals, and beliefs. But the common denominator of all ONE-TO-ONE relationships is caring. Once offenders feel cared about, trust begins to form between offenders and volunteers. Trust enables offenders to open themselves up to introspection and to look at making significant and important changes in their lives. 

Why have a program like ONE-TO-ONE? Reducing recidivism is of course one goal and benefit.  Statistics show that inmates who have a positive 1:1 relationship with a community member are 40% less likely to offend again.  ONE-TO-ONE has seen some truly breathtaking changes in offenders--offenders whose new lives make them not merely adequate citizens, but exemplary ones. 

But ONE-TO-ONE also exists for the pure goal of providing offenders a space to be and feel fully human.  AMICUS’ monthly group at MCF-Stillwater, CONNECTIONS, allows unmatched inmates a chance to connect on a human level. Some ONE-TO-ONE volunteers are also matched to lifers. Though they will never be released, lifers can and very often do become positive influences within the  prison. AMICUS believes these friendships have inherent value. 

In addition, recent years have seen the branching out of veteran ONE-TO-ONE volunteers to make regular visiting rounds at MCF-Oak Park Heights, both to critically ill inmates in the prison infirmary and to inmates held in the increased isolation and loneliness of the segregation unit. “I can’t say enough about these visits,” says warden Lynn Dingle.  “The AMICUS volunteers always respect both the individual inmate and the institution’s needs, and they are like a ray of sunshine to these units.  They bring a much-needed human touch to inmates and that helps the staff too.  They are simply invaluable.” 

People have to feel “cared about” to “care about” changing.  It’s simple concept, but  a powerful one.  Through the simple act of being a friend, AMICUS’ wonderful ONE-TO-ONE volunteers have helped thousands of offenders feel cared about, keep their humanity, and develop the trust, self-worth, and support needed to build new lives.

RAFIKI

AMICUS has begun offering MEN OF RAFIKI  to a new set of offenders--return violators at MCF-Rush City.

A transitional class, MEN OF RAFIKI is specifically for African-American men.  It helps them explore their spirituality, the nature of being an African-American man, and the importance of community  while building independent living skills and knowledge of resources. 

RAFIKI is taught by Marvin Clark and a lineup of guest speakers from the African-American community and resource agencies. The program has been operating at MCF-Lino Lakes (a release facility) since 1995.  It was at Lino Lakes that MCF-Rush City  warden Bert Mohs became familiar with MEN OF RAFIKI. When Mohs was appointed warden of Rush City, he requested that RAFIKI be expanded there.

“Our charge is not just providing security, but reducing recidivism,” says Mohs. “Offenders are going to be returning to the community.  I think we can reduce recidivism by providing transitional services, and RAFIKI offers some unique services to bridge that gap.” 

MEN OF RAFIKI consistently receives ratings between 4.8 and 4.95 (on a scale of 5) from inmate participants.  In addition, a fiscal year 2000 evaluation of MEN OF RAFIKI found that fully 89% of its graduates have stayed out of prison.  AMICUS is very pleased to have the chance to expand this valuable program.

“RAFIKI helped me look at life in a different perspective. It helped me do a self-inventory on how I carry myself and my purpose in life, and the true meaning of responsibility.  I wish I could come here every day until I go home.”  --Evaluation comment

MAILBAG:
I have had wonderful experiences with the SISTERS HELPING SISTERS program. Mary Kay helped me to excel back into society from Shakopee prison.  She puts her all into her work and has lots of resources.  To help me get housing, Mary Kay worked step by step with me to choose the right facility to live in. She transported me to and fro to find a job. She helped me get access to voice mail so I could receive my job search messages. After I settled into my new home, Mary Kay brought me a bouquet of flowers. Mary Kay personalizes the relationship with the lives she touches.

I’ve been blessed to have worked with Mary Kay and the SISTERS program. SISTERS HELPING SISTERS is a wonderful program.

Sincerely, D.K.

ONE-TO-ONE Profile

“When I first came to prison, I was totally cut off from all my family and friends,” says Treshonda.  “I definitely knew that I needed a friend.”

That friend turned out to be AMICUS volunteer Irene Lockwood.  A recent “empty nester,” Irene was looking for new challenges and ways to help others.  She had originally contacted AMICUS about mentoring a youth.  Then an experience observing a woman on the street having trouble managing her child crystalized for Irene that what she really wanted to do was mentor another woman. She was matched to Treshonda in AMICUS’ ONE-TO-ONE program about a year and a half ago. 

Their relationship has blossomed from there into a mutually respectful and caring friendship, with frequent visits, letters and calls.  “It is wonderful to have someone to talk to who shows so much caring for you,” says Treshonda.   “We talk everything through, and she is always truthful with me, even if that means she isn’t always positive.”

There is plenty to talk about.  Treshonda’s children live with her mother in Chicago, so there are always updates on what they are doing.  Then there’s class (Treshonda is working on her associate of arts degree).  “Irene was very helpful in helping me work through decisions--whether I should work or go to school, what classes I should take, whether I should be a math tutor,” says Treshonda.  “And she listens to my frustrations with English class.” 

Treshonda asks Irene for feedback on things she writes:  lists of goals, letters to judges and prosecutors, and more. And sometimes the talk turns to more painful feelings. “Because of my crime, my family gave me the cold shoulder for a long while after I was incarcerated,” says Treshonda. “Irene helped me talk about my feelings about that and figure out what to do.”  Treshonda gives Irene some of the credit for helping her create a support system (including her family, who now write and visit her) that can help her when she is released. 

For her part, Irene enjoys helping Treshonda work through decisions and also likes sharing the details of her own life: her children, work issues, household projects, etc.  “We are happy for each other in the good times, and support each other in the bad,” says Irene. “We can banter back and forth and have a two-way friendship. And I always look forward to letters from Treshonda.” 

“At first, I wasn’t sure what to expect,” says Treshonda.  “I didn’t know how far this person really wanted to take the friendship.  I kind of held back and sent a really short letter. But from Irene’s first letter, I saw she really did want to be a friend and I opened up.” 

Irene feels that both she and Treshonda were in need of friendship at the time, so the floodgates opened. “We clicked so well so quickly,” says Irene.  “I’d never set foot in a prison before, and it’s not always easy connecting in a visiting room, but this whole experience has been nothing but positive.” 

Treshonda sees her ONE-TO-ONE experience as wholly positive too.  “My friend has done so much for me, especially helping me go from no communication with my family to my sisters now coming regularly,”  says Treshonda.  “For people trying to decide whether to sign up, I would say it is a GREAT program.” 

Thanks to Treshonda and Irene for sharing your friendship and your story!

If you would like to get more information on becoming an AMICUS friend to an inmate through the ONE-TO-ONE program, or if you are an inmate interested in being matched with a volunteer friend, contact Susan in the AMICUS office at (612) 348-8570. We would love to share more with you about this transforming and satisfying opportunity!

Offenders who visited AMICUS looking for resources and advice got a little extra boost this holiday season. AMICUS  received 191 toys from a generous, repeat donor called T.L.C. Toys.  This year's donation included dolls and beautifully crafted wooden cradles, trucks and roadsters, and  trains.  All the toys were distributed, with approximately 45 ex-offender parents coming to the office and using staff-donated wrapping paper, bows, etc. to wrap the toys themselves.

A generous donation of personal care items also enabled AMICUS to distribute gift bags to the girls in the Girls Restorative Justice Program. 

AMICUS is a year-round haven of support and resources for offenders, but we appreciate the opportunity to make their holidays a little brighter.  Thanks to our donors for making this possible!

One ex-offender wrote, “I can remember only two times I was free for Christmas. I thank Dona and all the AMICUS staff for making this Christmas my best.  Always – W.P.”

The AMICUS program is  just one part of a collaborative effort to help girls who have become seriously involved in the juvenile justice system build new lives. Envisioned by The Department of Corrections Planning for Female Offenders Unit, this groundbreaking effort integrates female-focused residential and transitional services provided by Woodland Hills with restorative justice circles and trauma counseling provided by AMICUS. 
Danette Buskovick, a member of the DOC research staff, will be interviewing the girls and collecting data to see what kind of outcomes this collaborative effort has made in their lives. The  outcome evaluation will help all the partners review and improve their programming.

AMICUS has been privileged to be a part of this exciting new model for helping girls build new lives.  We are excited about this new outcome evaluation and look forward to the results!

AMICUS Golf Open Set for July 10, 2002
Chair Stanley “Corky” Veker and his golf committee have a new location and an exciting event planned for this year, so mark your calendars and sign up  today!

The 2002 AMICUS Golf Open will be held at Majestic Oaks Golf Club in Ham Lake, Minnesota, July 10, 2002.  With two championship 18-hole golf courses and an Executive Nine, Majestic Oaks ranks as the largest golf and banquet facility in Minnesota.  As Majestic Oaks specializes in events (hosting hundreds of functions yearly), you can rest assured that we will be well taken care of. 

Kim Jeffries joins us once again as Master of Ceremonies and the Viking cheerleaders will be our guests. From the opening shots at the driving range through a barbecue lunch, our four-person, best-ball scramble, a great steak dinner, a live auction, and giveaways of fabulous golf merchandise and vacation getaways, it promises to be a beautiful afternoon “out of the office.”

AMICUS relies greatly on corporate sponsorships to make the Golf Open a success! Last year saw a new record in sponsorships, and we would like to continue this trend. Sponsorships are offered at various levels, from $5000 to $500, and offer tournament signage, souvenir program recognition, and listing in our donor lists and the AMICUS annual report. You can charge to Mastercard/Visa, request an invoice,  or write a check.  For more information, call Curt Peterson or Ruth Johnson at (612) 348-8570. 

Invite a foursome or two for a great afternoon out for a great cause, and register today! We would be happy to send you any additional information or sign-up forms you may  need--simply call us at (612) 348-8570. We look forward to seeing you at this great annual event!

Outcome Story:  Circles Help “C” Transition Successfully
C’s most recent circle (part of the AMICUS Youth Restorative Justice Program) was facilitated by AMICUS and attended by himself, his mother, his probation officer, his MCF-Red Wing Transition Caseworker, and a translator. C shared a discussion he had had about his family with his sister and shared how it had made him resolve to make up for the past with new actions. C then shared how he had followed up on the discussions of the previous circle, obtaining and working two jobs (one at his sister’s store and another at a flower store) and visiting the YMCA to lift weights and play basketball with the membership provided by MCF-Red Wing.  He also brought up ongoing problems (transportation, confusion about a girlfriend, keeping communication open with circle participants, uncertainty about career and education paths). 

The circle helped C work out a schedule and routine for communication with his circle members, helped him examine the possible risks of his relationship with his girlfriend, and helped him realize his transportation problems were temporary and develop a plan to save money for a car.  The circle also helped C to connect with HIRED for college applications and financial aid forms, and connect with the Hmong Culture Center to begin the paperwork needed to become a U.S. citizen. 

C ended the circle by saying, "My goal is to be happy and free-- that's what I'm fighting for."  This is AMICUS’ goal for the young men in the Youth Restorative Justice Program --and with the help of the circle process, it’s becoming a reality.

If you are interested in being added to our mailing list for our EXPRESS publications, please email us at staff@amicususa.org or call Adam at (612) 348-8570.