Today was quite an interesting day to say the least.
My Applied Corrections class allows us to put our grad school book knowledge to practice. By that, I mean that we go to a correctional facility (a little less intense than a prison) and get to apply what we've learned (or what they think we've learned) to actual offenders.
Today we had to interview an offender, one-on-one, through a guide provided to us, and assess them on how low-risk or high-risk they are. I was pretty nervous being in a closed room with someone who was twice my size and had biceps as big as my head.. not to mention, imagining scenarios of him stabbing me in the neck with his pen wasn't too comforting, but it went great!
My guy was super nice.. I thought about giving him my number but I figured his wife and my current boyfriend wouldn't appreciate that (kidding.. chillax). He started drinking alcohol since he was 12 and has done all sorts of drugs. Came from a very dysfunctional family and has siblings who are also criminally involved. He started off with weed, then moved up to crack, then heroin, did some acid and E, and really didn't care about anything. He lived on the streets and committed any and every crime possible (which could get him money) to supply his drug habit.
What surprised me was when I asked him how long his longest time of sobriety was, he told me without blinking, "11 months, 3 weeks, and 2 days". Unfortunately, he relapsed, which is why he's back. He's in NA right now (Narcotics Anonymous for all you newbies) and doing really well, got a good support group, and doing his best to stay clean. I have high hopes for this man. Although there may be a high likelihood of him relapsing once he gets out, I'd like to believe that his willingness to want to change his life will persist.
Makes me feel good about going to grad school and helping offenders. They need hugs too :)
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