Better to Light a Candle Than Curse the Darkness

Posted by Chloe

I'm teaching a re-entry class in a super maximum prison (yes, sometimes they do get out). I have 15 days to supply them with addresses that will facilitate re-entry into society (DMS printouts, SS#, recovery homes, etc.).

I also "preach" that self-esteem stems from getting a job, staying sober/clean, and staying out of prison. So yesterday, one of my students had about 40 pages of information he wanted to copy, so off he goes to the library. The dilemma there is that he could lie...tell the clerk that the teacher needed these copies and get them for free. Or he could tell the clerk that the copies were his and sign a trust withdrawal for $4. What a quandary. He came back with the PAID-for copies, saying, "I knew that I could get [away with it], but I gots to be looking at my own bad self in the mirror."

Taadaaa! I'm NOT just talking to myself in there!