For most jail is not a pleasant experience. The incarcerated especially for the younger offender is a wake up call. I’m not writing about the State or Federal systems-Hard Time. I’m writing about the first stop-the County jail system. Possibly the first time offender will learn his/her lesson-30% or more will eventually graduate to the state or Federal-hard time experience. Can we change this?The first time kids-the kids I’m writing about the majority came from broken homes, they slipped through the system-kids that were ADHD, Bi-Polar, Hyperthymic and a mirage of disorders that are being masked by using alcohol, illegal drugs-acting out their frustrations-the self medicating syndrome. Our society has failed miserably.

I was drawn into corrections not by a good paycheck or a relatively secure job. I was drawn by a feeling I could make a difference, influence lives that had gone awry. Societies mentality of “locking up and throwing away the key” is not the answer for “correction”. Correction without instilling positive self-esteem, basic living skills and job skills is useless. Hundreds of millions of dollars are being used to build Institutions of wire and walls. These millions should be used at an earlier age by trained health care professionals in our school systems by recognizing the “troubled youth”-they are our future. They are reaching out and we must be aware and HELP.

Some are so wounded and they bury those wounds deep. It is our responsibility to discern-not condemn.  Humor is healing, and listening can also heal. My approach to pain was to use humor-not everyone will agree with me but humor was my way to mask pain. My pain is when I failed-not everyone can be helped. That is the pain I live with today.