Pubdate: Tue, 14 Aug 2001
Source: Times-Union (IN)
Copyright: 2001 Times-Union
Contact:  http://www.timeswrsw.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1494
Author: Charles F. Robinson I
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/prison.htm (Incarceration)

REHABILITATION

Editor, Times-Union:

This article is to let the Warsaw community know how prison doesn't 
rehabilitate a person. However, they do offer a wide variety of 
courses to help the rehabilitation process, but these courses can be 
manipulated just to be put on one's prison packet. Rehabilitation 
comes from within the person, a desiring need for a better and 
productive life. One does not need to come to prison for 
rehabilitation.

However, being in prison gives a person a chance to look deep within 
and to see themselves with no interruptions, from society or loved 
ones. For I know! I'm currently serving a 10-year prison term for 
dealing cocaine. I was sentenced on Nov. 10, 1999, which I thought 
was the worst turn that ever took place in my life. In the process I 
lost a very special and loving girlfriend and was pulled out from my 
environment and away from my loved ones. The steps that started my 
rehabilitation started with depression and a deep grieving process 
which lasted for several months. After these emotions subsided, I had 
a deep compassion to learn a different way of life. Dealing drugs was 
not the life I wanted to return to. Dealing or using drugs only 
leaves a person with two options: dead or in prison. This is not a 
way of life!

Education is the only key to a wide variety of positive lifestyles. 
Since I've been here, I've obtained my G.E.D. with high scores, 
earned a minister's license, an honorary degree in divinity, two 
diplomas in Biblical studies and will be completing a vocational 
trade called Business Computer Applications. I also will be enrolling 
in a paralegal course in September, after completing my vocational 
trade.

What I thought was the worst turn in my life turned out to be the 
best. I recommend to the ones that are involved in drug activity that 
they pull themselves away and start the rehabilitation process within 
themselves before they end up coming to a place where they have no 
choice, prison. The younger generation of Warsaw and other 
communities need to re-arm themselves with education, not with guns 
and drugs. Remember, education is the key that will unlock a wide 
variety of doors for a better and productive life.

Charles F. Robinson I
Westville Correctional Facility
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