NEVER LOOK A GIFT-HORSE IN THE MOUTH

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Christmastime is here again. Donation. A big one.

For the past three years, the Franklin Public Library has been extraordinarily kind to us. in 2011 we received 12 boxes; we received 16 boxes of their castaways in 2012.

This year, they were a tad more generous: 24 boxes of donated fiction and nonfiction. There were some duplicates, but we are beggars and cannot be choosers.

We kept 89 titles, not including 19 titles that we used as swap-outs for books in lesser condition.
Six boxes of these books were reserved for nearby Baystate Correctional Center. Because they’re a much smaller prison, they don’t have the storage space, so we’ll send them a few boxes at a time.

15 boxes have been reserved for both Assisted Daily Living and the segregation Units. We’ll take these books as needed to these Units throughout the year.

Whenever we get a donation in — especially a donation of this size — the Library clerks are always excited to see what’s coming in, and they’re also excited to have a lengthy project to be working on. All kept material must be stamped, processed, catalogued, classified, dust jackets need covering, shelf list cards need creating and filed, data needs to be entered in the Follett system, and then everything needs to be shelved. We also need to alert the population that new material has arrived. apart from word-of-mouth, we copy covers onto colored paper and make a display in the hall display cabinets.

This time, the books needed to be brought into the Library in my absence, and thankfully both staff and Library clerks worked well together to make this happen.

All 108 books were processed in two half-day sessions.

“Stop getting caught up in you:” Or: USING MY ENABLED MIND

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Final class night. We began the cycle on March 13. It’s been a long course.

Distributed several handouts, one in particular–the quote from the novel The Exorcist— generated a great deal of discussion on how prisoners view themselves and how they might deal with those they do not get along with. The answer, so said the men, is in breaking the cycle of violence and being willing to help your enemy if they ask for your help. Two students spoke on how important communication is in these situations, and how prisoners tend to overlook effective ways of talking out interpersonal conflict.

One student spoke about how he felt that Tolkien was gearing The Hobbit toward courage, and how when you’re faced with ‘fight-or-flight’ it is sometimes the courage to walk away that takes control. Another man felt that the courage to walk way was a conscious decision one had to make, rather than relying on instinct or habit.

Another man said he has stopped second-guessing himself over the character of his associates, and now will only befriend others who are on the same change-based path. He finished by saying “For me to backslide is to commit suicide.” I reminded him that backsliding will always be a concern, because we who need to change are in a daily struggle with our old nature. The backsliding does not define one who struggles for a better life– the struggle to do better defines him. For some in your association, it’s not that they cannot mature, it’s that they refuse to mature. He who acknowledges his immaturity and still struggles forward on the right path is the man you need to walk alongside.

The PPT generated discussion about transferring into society and dealing with bigotry and prejudice against an ex-felon. When job interviews were mentioned, one man said “I’m going to produce every certificate I’ve earned during my time inside to point out the positive changes I’ve attempted to make.” He said he may not receive the trust from fellow employees or supervisors at first, but that trust is earned and “if I stick with it, the trust will come.”

The class also spoke on the anti-corrective attitudes of officers and other administrators. Some treat prisoners as untrustworthy because they refuse to see them as people. This is how some men will be seen when they try to find a job. The class agreed that dealing with that attitude while incarcerated is preparing them to handle it on the outside. One man used the balancing scales analogy: today the scale is balanced and all is well. Tomorrow, something happens to throw off that balance and the imbalance points to a problem. “Some in society paint ex-felons with the same brush-stroke: if one ex-felon is given a chance and screws up, then to them ALL ex-felons are screw-ups and not worth their time.”

Another student said “Take the focus off your conviction when job-hunting, and instead focus on the qualifications of those with whom you are competing for the job. You may not get the job, but it’s probably because the guy who did was better-qualified. Also realize that when 12 apply for the same job and you don’t get it, that means there are 10 other people who are heading back home, too, just like you. Stop getting caught up in you.”

We then turned to the remaining 28 slides of the PPT presentation — and actually got through all of them. Seven handouts, 28 slides, and constant discussion, all in two hours. It was the most productive final class night in eight years of running the program.

Finally, certificates of completion were distributed. Everyone was grateful for the three extra copies that they could use to send home. Many men mentioned over the course of the two months that they had family who were proud of their ABLE MINDS participation. Some even had family members following the reading in The Hobbit using their own copies of the novel.

‘Victor’ and I received many compliments, smiles and thank-you’s to end the night. Productive group.

PEER REVIEW: Or “No pressure, I’ll just quietly vomit in the corner over here….”

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Tonight we hosted our department Manager for Library services, and a newly-hired Librarian from the Treatment Center. Our manager has attended my ABLE MINDS classes, but wanted to have the new hire sit in on a class as he will be required to teach them at his facility once he’s settled in.

Everyone except Julio was in excellent form (during the break, he told me he was fighting a cold).

Students submitted their ‘Achilles’ Heel’ assignments, then were given an ‘Achilles’ Heel: Release Day’ assignment which is due next week.

Tonight I stuck with the PowerPoint, and managed to cover 10 slides. This is the penultimate class, and we still have 28 slides to cover. But the point of the course is not to complete the presentation but to use it to generate discussion and insight. This group has taken to that concept since the first night.

During class discussion:
Sly talked about leaving his old neighborhood and starting afresh.
David said his transfer from NYC was necessary to break awat from peer pressure.
Luke said that when he’s released soon, he must apply this advice, otherwise he’ll fall into the same criminal habits “and all this ABLE MINDS sh*t’ll fly out the window.” I asked him his age; he told us 39 (surprising, as I thought he was 10 years younger based on the attitude about life that he has demonstrated).
Guy mentioned his first-degree life sentence, and how it is possible to face the fact of not going home but still be determined to become a better person.

Discussion ensued about what, exactly, to do AFTER you’ve decided to change your ways. Some said it was at this time that you learned who your true friends are. Ian said he needed to have ‘insight’ into himself first, to realize that it was his behavior and not those around him that was the source of his trouble.

Talk then turned to the concept of shame and its uses as a positive motivator. Some admitted that they felt shame over leaving their children and families in the lurch. Others feel shame when thinking of their crime. Still others voiced shame over getting released and not being able to use their freedom to stay free.

Ian mentioned how even though he was an insignificant creature, Bilbo managed to find reasonable, peaceful, and clever solutions to predicaments he faced on his journey, and how those solutions ultimately framed and defined his new character. Bill then invoked the “I must be patient with me” handout which was distributed a few weeks back. The text of the handout I obtained from the emotions Anonymous web site. I re-read this handout to the class from my lesson plan.

The question was posed: “Have you ever felt like the effort to try to turn your life around has been a waste of your time?” Alec answered Yes, but then explained that he counters those negative feelings with his hourly focus, which are family, freedom, and a changed nature.

One PPT slide asked: “Was the decision to change a frightening one for you?” The library services manager shared that she recalls the day she decided to change herself, and feeling confused about “what happens now? What am I supposed to do?” Most men felt that the word ‘frightening’ was too strong; they substituted ‘challenged.’

At the end of class, after the guests had gone, one student said to me: “We sounded like a well-rounded and wise group of men tonight! I think we all displayed the value of ABLE MINDS to your visitors.”

I think they did, too.

“There is more in you of good then you know, child of the kindly West” or, BILBO’S DEMASCUS ROAD

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An anecdote from our ABLE MINDS class this evening: Slide 18 of our Hobbit PPT presentation asks: “When did your ‘moment of truth’ occur, when you finally realized that you needed to change your life?”

One man said it happened to him while housed in a prison segregation unit, where all he had to occupy himself was his own thoughts, and reading material for escapism.

Another man spoke about the emotional barriers he built while in isolation time. He recognized and accepted new priorities, while separating himself from “friends” who deserted him in time of need.

Another man asked me when my epiphany occurred. I said it was during a time of loneliness and desolation after moving away from family & friends to come to New England.

One man spoke from the vantage of being free and then being incarcerated.

One man spoke about “re-wiring” himself by constantly practicing a new way of thinking about the Other and about himself. He felt that by doing this he could distance himself from the miserable person of his past life.

When movement was called at 8:15PM, men were lingering in the classroom, still discussing the topic.

“I think I just heard the other shoe drop!” OR: SO FAR, SO GOOD

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On Wednesday, the title pages were signed, copies made & collated, and original plus 7 were mailed at local post office before 5PM.

This should guarantee that the package gets postmarked by Thursday the 11th, 5PM. That is the application deadline.

I should have asked the postman to postmark it while I stood there. I didn’t think of it until now.

ALSO — although I changed the budget amounts on the two budget pages, I failed to change the total grant figure on the master title page. I sent an email expressing my embarrassment and asking to be pardoned. That’s the proper thing to do in these cases.

Ever onward.

“Wow, who can follow THOSE writing skills!” OR: MY CON’S BETTER THAN YOUR CON

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Tonight in ABLE MINDS, I read a random written homework submitted for the Conflict Resolution: Past Choices” assignment. After finishing the two pages, one of the students said “Wow! How can any of us follow THAT!” referring to the eloquence of the writing. My assistant pounced on that one, reminding the class that socialization is not a competition but a chance to be honest with themselves and with the THINK FIRST method. The students were kind of relieved to hear this.

One student spoke of a past violent situation involving an officer and the rough treatment of some of his personal photographs. I related a situation that happened to me a few years ago when the inner security team searched my office for contraband and left the room in a less-than-tidy state. We all agreed that prison is not our homes, it’s property of the State. Some inmates were surprised to discover that staff have similar kinds of privacy issues as do inmates. I told them that nothing in my office is mine, in fact. ‘my office’ isn’t even mine. It belongs to Massachusetts.

Tonight started off slowly, but after a few more Conflict Resolutions were read, men became more comfortable and relaxed, as they usually do.

The prison concept of ‘disrespect’ was addressed and defined, and we decided that this is an emotional trigger that is harmful to the inmate case when trying to deal assertively respectfully with an officer or another inmate. The responsibility of choosing neutral words and phrases was discussed, and the principle that “Words are actions” was reiterated by one man. Another student talked of using a tool called a “value meter,’ which allows him to prioritize. It is also an alternative way of using the first step of THINK FIRST, which is “Take stock of the situation.”

One man shared one free-world experience of completing an earlier sentence. Hours after release, he and a cousin went to a shoe store. The ex-inmate asked the salesman to help him, but the salesman was busy with another customer and said, “I’ll be with you in a minute.” The ex-inmate thought that this comment was ‘disrespect,’ because he was accustomed to being waited on immediately which was his experience with prison staff. He confronted the salesman, but luckily his cousin pulled him away and explained that this wasn’t how things were done in the free world. The ex-inmate ended up apologizing to the salesman for his actions. The salesman ended up giving him a discount because he was just recently released, and gave him a few coupons to use for the next time.

At the end of the night the concept of love conquers all was raised. A man told of his gang life in LA, and said that h was taught that to get respect you had to be ruthless. He said what he learned from that is that you couldn’t earn anothers’ respect, only their fear. He concluded by saying “The Dali Lama says ‘Love and only love can conquer hate.'” I mentioned the scene in the book The Exorcistwhere the older priest Merrin tells the younger priest Damien that it is possible to do unto others without feeling love for them. It is a human impossibility to feel love for those who oppress you. But is it psychologically possible to help someone who is unworthy of you help.

Honest responses, thoughtful written assignments, a relaxed atmosphere. Good class.

MEETING A DEAD LINE: OR, “Pick up the phone, why don’t you?”

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Using a telephone is another way for the Cosmos to remind you that the universe does not revolve around you.

Just because an important deadline looms large, and just because every second counts. and just because you need to talk to certain key people at certain key times — Well, it don’t always work that way.

Today was such a day. But things continue to move forward.

For example — My application for this grant will be assigned tomorrow by someone in our Dept. for whom I hold the utmost respect, AND who is stopping by from a day-long meeting solely on my behalf.

These are the kinds of people that make you proud to work in our Department. I’m with Anne: Despite everything, I believe that people are really good at heart.

“I trust this addresses your concerns:” Or, I GOT YOUR BACK

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The Board asked for support letters, two of which they preferred would come from former students of mine. I asked Victor Avelino (not his real name) to compose such a letter. Victor’s completed several ABLE MINDS courses and in fact now assists in the Wednesday night course. With his permission granted, here’s what he had to say:

My name is Victor Avelino and I have participated in several ABLE MINDS classes and currently serve as the instructor’s assistant. In each class I attend, I observe the interaction between Mr. Mongelli and his students.

In this environment where trust and confidentiality are key components of our everyday lives, it is difficult even for one inmate to ask another inmate to open up and share without their defenses going up. I have recognized that Mr. Mongelli has built a trust with his classes. He is able to entertain discussions on a level that the men here can relate to, without making them feel inferior, ashamed, oe even at times like a prisoner.

It is easy for men in our position to shut down and keep their personal lives to themselves. However, during the classes Mr. Mongelli conducts, many of the men become invested in his conversations so that they’re able to contribute and share about their life experiences.

In addition to his work as Librarian and instructor, Mr. Mongelli also lends an ear to those who need someone to talk to. Being in prison, it is hard to talk to people be they prisoner or staff. At times, the loss of a loved one is difficult to discuss, as well as depression or anger issues. Mr. Mongelli extends the courtesy of active listening to many men here, and many have taken him up o his offer.

I pray this letter is helpful in your decision to award Norfolk the grant to begin a therapy course using humor. I am positive that the men here will benefit greatly by this therapeutic class.

Respectfully, etc.

Prisoners at Norfolk respond to new programs and new program ideas, and enthusiastically support proposals and concepts that bring a fresh approach to the rehabilitative effort. Victor puts his money where his mouth is. He is a recent Boston University graduate, and has achievement certificates from several dozen programs. This effort supports how he has attempted to address the underlying causes of his criminal thinking.

A further note — as I type these words, Victor has little hope of ever seeing the street again. He saw the need to change, put in the work to change, and continues to monitor his thoughts and behavior. He wanted to become a better man, and he has succeeded. To be sure, his changed attitude is based on a chance, however slim, that one day he may be released. But he knows that the change begins in jail — his crucible of changed character — for those wise enough to accept the challenge.

A BLAST FROM THE DISTANT PAST: OR: “I found it in the attic!”

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It’s always the way. You need something, you don’t have it, and the person most likely to possess it apparently doesn’t.

When you visit the website of The U*N*A*B*A*S*H*E*D Librarian (the “how i run my library good”SM letter), you’ll notice that archives are scarce. This is a problem if you’re searching for one of their articles that was published in 1989. 1989 was twenty-four years ago.

But my fortunes turned after contacting the editors through their web site. Not 4520967-2only did they respond, but they discovered the article in a back issue, scanned the pages, converted them to PDF, and emailed them free of charge.  That’s service for you, in the midst of our jaded, cynical, graceless age.

The article I needed was one I had written about my internship at SCI-Pittsburgh called “Of Giraffes, School Buses, and Prison Librarianship: Or, ‘Why did you move hundreds of miles away to buy a car, Bill?’ I remember how this article came about. I wrote the article in 1987, and sent it in to Library Journal. At that time, Brenda Vogel was guest editing an issue on prison librarianship. She called me and said she would use it in a sidebar, but wanted to cut it by more than half. Since it’s barely bigger than a postage stamp to begin with, I demurred. Then I discovered U*N*A*B*A*S*H*E*D. I submitted it to editor and founder Marvin H. Scilken. I don’t remember receiving a response. Then, in 1988, while attending a New England Library Association conference, I discovered that Marvin happened to be giving a presentation. Afterward I approached him, introduced myself, and asked if he remembered the submission. He thought for a few seconds and then smiled. “That was the giraffe and school bus thing?’ I said yes, and asked him to publish it. He said he would. And he did.

The article link can be found on the Prison Library Links page, and by clicking Of Giraffes, School Buses, and Prison Librarianship

The kind, extraordinary folk running U*N*A*B*A*S*H*E*D these days are named Paula and Mitch Freedman. Please be kind to them by:

“Now if we can just get the Librarian to shut up!” OR: MODERATING THE MODERATOR

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The April 3rd class was interesting & productive.

I began the night by apologizing for canceling last weeks’ class (I was spending money at NE Mobile Book Fair). I reviewed what we had covered in the previous class, which led into a lecture on the various friendships that Bilbo develops in The Hobbit.  This went on for about 10 minutes.

One of the inmate participants then continued his discussion of the ‘weather report’ concept from last week. A ‘weather report’ is how you measure your feelings and state of mind when you first rise and shine in the morning; then you monitor your behavior toward the Other accordingly. This same person also shared about his brief stay in Segregation since the last class, and how even though he was lugged for an offense, he refused to allow his baser nature and aggressive words to exacerbate the situation. Which is precisely why he spent only a few days away instead of weeks or months.

I then spoke of the THINK FIRST mechanism as a process, and of expectations; that everyone is incompetent to instantly prefect the method. Change takes time, like getting a river to run a new course. I told him it was miraculous that she was even sharing her thought life with him, because so many young people zealously guard thoughts and feelings. He thought tat he’d like to get an extra copy of the handout to send her. I gave him another.

 

CharacterThis served as a segue to the first handout, “It’s All About Character.” One man said he never believed that words, simple words, should be considered along the same lines as physical action, but said he could understand how words are emotionally-laden and can lead to altercations.

That’s a step in the right direction.

Another inmate spoke of how his daughter is taking the right physical steps (college) to better her circumstances, but worried that her negative inner thought life — which she shares with him — might be molding her character in undesired ways. I said that it was miraculous that she was sharing her thought life with him, as young people tend to zealously guard their thoughts and feelings. He concluded by saying that he wished he had another copy of the handout to mail to her, so I gave him another.

Just before the break at 7:15, another man voiced as how he believed that I was talking too much tonight, and not allowing enough time for others to share their views. This man took five minutes to express this.

During the 15-minute break, my class assistant spoke to another member of the class who said he disagreed that I was monopolizing the discussions. His view is that he class is just as much for me as it is for the benefit of the inmate participants. He further stated that one of the reason that he enjoys my lectures because he gets “jewels” when he listens to me. He finished by telling the assistant that he’s applying the THINK FIRST method in his daily prison life, because he will be released in a few months and wants this technique to become as much a second nature to him as possible before he regains his freedom.

When class resumed, we spent the remaining 45 minutes reading out the homework assignment called “Conflict Resolution: Bilbo’s Decision.” Each student was given a summary of the scene in which Bilbo makes up his mind to take the Arkenstone to Bard and the elven King. They were then directed to use each step of the THINK FIRST method to get into Bilbo’s head and see how he arrived at his decision. We read five of these assignments before movement was called at 8:15, which requires each inmate to return to their housing units.

Before they left, we distributed the next assignment called “Conflict Resolution: Previous Choices.” This asks each man to isolate a time in the past where they were thinking and acting in a criminal way, and then apply the THINK FIRST method to understand how that situation could have been avoided.

Before they leave, I tell them “Good class” and ask them to give themselves a hand, which they do. It’s a nice, encouraging way to end each class night.