I spent the morning at Lansing Correctional Facility. Two of my classmates are completing their internships at Lansing, providing mental health services to the (all male) inmates. I got to see one adorable puppy and some older dogs that the inmates train - and then the public can adopt the dogs. I also saw a cavernous factory area where inmates were working giant sewing machines that were embroidering logos onto piles of UnderArmour shirts. It was cool to watch. They also make cabinets, repair bicycles, and do just about any "typical" job you can think of in the mini-city that a prison is. There were men who sweep the "streets" (areas between buildings - pretty much mini-streets) all day, men fixing government cars and trucks, cleaning floors and walls, doing laundry, making food, etc.
The tour guide, an officer, asked us if we were surprised by what we saw. I really wasn't - maybe because I'd heard about it or maybe because I understand that most prisoners will be released and can be (or will become, or already are) my neighbors. So I'd rather have them participate in rehabilitation programs, get therapy, exercise, socialize, train a dog, work hard all day and relax in the evening... But it's not all ball-and-chain or anything, and it's not guys sitting around all day, either, because that's not good for anyone. It's about learning to do "normal" things and live with appropriate boundaries out in the world. Some of the inmates never will reach that point, but many of them will. It's been good to hear about my classmates' therapy experiences and to hear success stories.
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