When
I was working for the D.C. Department of Corrections (Lorton), an
incident occurred that had a lasting effect on me. It was a lesson well
learned. An inmate jumped me, which led into an investigation. After
the investigation was over, I went back to that inmate and asked, "Why
did you jump me for telling you to do something as simple as picking up
the trash?" He stated, "I have 'life' and I have done 15 years and I
don't have anything to live for. Officer Jones, this time gets to me
every now and then and I lash out; I don't have hope anymore."
That
inmate's statement remained in my mind for a long time. I forgave that
inmate and I did not press charges against him. But as I walked many
yards of six prisons, (State and Federal), I observed two things: these
institutions were filled with people who had no hope and with people
who had resigned to the fact that there wasn't anything they were able
to do to receive help.
THE PRISON POPULATION HAS GROWN IN RECORD NUMBERS, INCARCERATING ONE IN 100 HUNDRED ADULTS...
IT IS COSTING US TOO MUCH MONEY TO HOUSE PEOPLE FOR SUCH UNNECESSARILY LONG PERIODS OF TIME!
The views expressed in this petition are solely those of the petition's sponsor and do not in any way reflect the views of iPetitions. iPetitions is solely a provider of technical services to the petition sponsor and cannot be held liable for any damages or injury or other harm arising from this petition. In the event no adequate sponsor is named, iPetitions will consider the individual account holder with which the petition was created as the lawful sponsor.