Dear Editor:
When my husband and I moved to Belleville, Ontario in the 1970s we didn’t know that we were also moving into penitentiary territory.
We were invited to lead a new Life Skills group, called Kairos, at Warkworth Penitentiary. We did this volunteer work for 10 years.
During this time I took the one year training in Pastoral Counselling in Penitentiaries, visited inmates, and we invited inmates into our home with and without a guard. Because of this involvement I feel passionate about the following:
In Martin Luther King’s words, “I have a vision,” I envisage a healing type prison being constructed in our area.
It would contain a gymnasium where teamwork and fair play would be taught, a meditation area where silence would be honoured and all faiths expressed.
With the help of counsellors, they’d build communication skills, learn the need for boundaries and to trust and be trustworthy. Through AA and NA they’d receive help to overcome destructive addictions.
Such a prison would contain classrooms where computer skills, science, art, and academic subjects would be taught.
There would be appropriate areas where electronics, woodworking, theatre, music, first aid, and crafts would be taught.
They’d discover the satisfaction of pride in their achievements while discovering their skills. They’d learn organic gardening and nutrition as they farmed the food for the institution and care of animals. All work would be honoured; each inmate employed and learning to manage money wisely.
It takes time to change attitudes and learn new skills, so the minimum time spent at this institution would be two years.
Only inmates who want to change and grow would be considered.
They would be recommended by staff where they are now serving time, “Yes this person is serious about wanting help to change.”
Such a prison would be an asset to our community. Only quality personnel would move here, for all staff, including administration and guards would be screened regarding their passion to work in such a prison.
Like-minded visitors from around the world would want to experience such a prison.
Barbara Baxter
Penticton
