Inmate Reflection

                Courage has always been a characteristic I have admired in people. The inmates that talked to us today have the most courage I have ever seen in someone.  I was surprised to hear all of them were addicted to drugs or alcohol, looks really can be deceiving.  More than two thirds of the men here today looked like normal members of society; many also looked not much older than I.  It was surreal to hear how they have turned their lives around completely, and how they regret every single thing they have done in the past that got them to where they are today. Right now if I were in their shoes I would hope for the chance to have what they have, they have the chance to go talk to young people and give them a reality check before they end up in the same hole they are. It was very upsetting to hear that most of them were fathers and they had families back home. I don’t know what they must be feeling with all the guilt of leaving them behind because they made a few dumb choices. Every one of the men that came in were not criminals at all, they just made poor decisions and they are now facing their consequence. Not all consequences are bad though; I feel that if any of these men were to be released back into society they would be able to stay “clean” and become once again a “normal” member of society. I am so thankful that they did come and speak to us because I think many people in this school need to hear that and it was an eye opener for many (or at least I hope it was). Teachers have told me that seniors every year say they wish that they had this presentation when they were freshman and I now agree 100% with them. These men have such a powerful message young teens need to hear that earlier to help prevent them from even starting to go down the wrong path. As a trend I have noticed that our incoming freshman keep getting worse and worse behavior wise. And young people keep trying dugs, alcohol, and sex at younger and younger ages. At this rate these men will have to go talk to elementary school kids! I wish more people than just the seniors can hear them. And I wish more people would take their word more seriously. I admire every single one of those brave men who came and talked to us today.