|
|
| Va. Inmate Finds Support from Jail Officers for a Second Chance |
| By Hopewell News |
| Published: 04/01/2003 |
|
Within the walls of Riverside Regional Jail, inmates serve time for crimes they committed and await the day they re-enter the world, with or without an education possibly cut short by their incarceration. But the jail offers inmates a chance to earn their GED to make up for the learning they missed since many inmates drop out of high school, or earlier, for a life of crime. Riverside Regional Jail offers such a program and graduates several inmates per session each time they complete all the required subject areas. That GED, however, doesn't come on a silver platter for free and inmates must go after the diploma by taking classes and successfully completing tests. For 26-year-old DeWayne Johnson, a south-Richmonder incarcerated in the local jail system, turning to a life of crime came shortly after dropping out of high school around the 11th grade. Now, after completing the required tests and passing, Johnson awaits graduation, complete with cap, gown and 'Pomp and Circumstance,' on Saturday at the jail. Johnson said while he was in the Richmond city jail, officials there would not let him into the GED class because it had been filled. But when he came to Riverside, the class had space. 'I can't believe how much he's changed,' Tina Burton, Johnson's GED instructor said. Burton has worked with inmates at the jail for two years and prior to that job, she taught in public schools. Burton said her student had one hurdle: Mathematics, which goes through Algebra and Geometry, proved a daunting subject for the inmate. He ended up having to retake that part of the GED requirement but had passed the other areas. Johnson said the classes were hard at first but became easier as time went by and he remembered some of the skills he had learned in high school. Johnson said it took less than 30 days to sign up, get into the class and complete the work. Meeting three times per week, the man came to class to learn. But as he recalled, 'Miss Burton had to push me.' But Johnson had other people's help and inspiration to achieve this goal. Johnson credits Sgt. J. Collins, supervisor of housing unit 5, and pod Officer Seward, as mentors for pushing him to his goal. At the jail, supervisors and corrections officers often have direct contact with inmates on a daily basis and get to know them. They also get a chance to push them in the direction of getting a GED if they didn't complete high school. Burton said there is a waiting list for the GED classes and usually 15-20 inmates enroll. The program has a 95 percent passing rate. Collins explained she supervises the area where the inmates live. When she first saw Johnson and his numerous tattoos up and down his arms, she said she didn't know what to think, but also knew not to prejudge him based on his appearance. But after a while, she got to know the inmate. 'He was a little hyper,' Collins said. But after a while, the inmate calmed down and focused. 'He's very intelligent and comical. He makes me laugh a lot.' Collins said she worked with Johnson, as she does other inmates, to make them feel pride in themselves. She also tries to make sure inmates don't fall into bad habits. For Seward, helping Johnson achieve his goal has also been a focus of his duties. Seward, too, had to get to know the inmate and recounted Johnson at first wouldn't get out of bed. 'He's got a good head on his shoulders.' Seward said, 'and a drive to do better.' 'Our role is to motivate them,' he added. The officer further explained that they help rehabilitate inmates and Collins said they all try to address individual inmate concerns. They also have other programs they can enroll in at the jail to help them learn and prepare for life back on the outside. Now the inmate stands poised to re-enter the world with a completed GED. Now, like most teen-agers graduating high school, Johnson has plans to go to J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College and then to a four-year university and possibly a degree. But he's not just doing it for himself. He wants to have his education for his 6-year-old daughter. 'I don't want her to say 'you don't have your diploma',' Johnson said. So he wants to show her he can do it. Since she's in the early years of her education, Johnson said he wants to be ready to help her when she needs it. The inmate said he's not sure how much longer he'll be in jail. His supporters expressed satisfaction that he has made it to his goal. Seward said 'it means a lot to me' to know he's passed his requirements for the GED. Johnson hopes in some way his achievement could inspire other inmates to do the same. |
advertise
|
privacy policy
|
add URL
|
about us
|
terms/disclaimer
|
contact us
|
join our team
|
help
If you’re looking for a lawyer in Waco, you’ll need to know that the first to hire Dunnam & Dunnam usually wins. If you have a personal injury claim, an insurance claim, or other matter involving a court or business transaction you should contact the best Dunham & Dunham to explain your legal rights. You can contact them on the website link above.
Have you been looking for the latest content from blogs from April 2020? There are a lot of great blogs out there. What is of interest to many people right now is entrepreneurship and leadership. Hamilton Lindley has the Hammer Blog, which is devoted to the best in leadership and entrepreneurship that is happening right now. Check out Hamilton Lindley April 2019 archives for more detail about what is going in the world of leadership and entrepreneurship right now.
He has blue eyes. Cold like steel. His legs are wide. Like tree trunks. And he has a shock of red hair, red, like the fires of hell. Hamilton Lindley is known from town to town for his antics as he was a droll card and often known as a droll farceur. with his madcap pantaloon is a zany adventurer and a cavorter with a motley troupe of buffoons.