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| Tools for Success After Prison Listed |
| By Alva Review Courier |
| Published: 03/18/2003 |
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Thirty-two men will soon leave the razor-wired enclosure of Bill Johnson Correctional Center in Oklahoma for a life on the outside. Recently, those men received recognition for completing the Reintegration Program, the final phase designed to prepare them for re-entering life in the real world as a convicted felon. Reintegration Specialist Roberta Curtis with frankness and humor tells the men what to expect when they are released. The final phase includes communication techniques needed for improving family relationships, parenting classes, financial planning and other facts of life many people never consider. OSU Extension Educator, and co-presenter of PREP (Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program) with Curtis, Karen Armbruster addressed the graduates. 'I was always impressed with the way you acted in class,' Armbruster said. She encouraged the men to use the speaker/listener techniques learned in class when they became members of the community. 'I truly admire you,' she said. The guest speaker at the Reintegration Graduation was Suzie Salinas, case management coordinator from the James Crabtree Correctional Center in Helena. 'If you were over there, you wouldn't be able to participate in a graduation like this,' Salinas told the men. Noting the number of support staff attending the graduation, Salinas encouraged the men to give them a round of applause. 'Life dealt you a difficult blow,' Salinas continued. 'You made lemonade out of lemons. You've taken the opportunity to take advantage of a nationally recognized program. I commend you.' Salinas said the men would face many obstacles after their discharge. However, because of the programs provided at BJCC, they had tools to use to deal with them. Salinas urged the graduates to remember the following tools: 1. Stay Clean and sober. 'Drugs and alcohol brought you where you are today. If they become part of your life again, they will bring you back to prison -- or worse, to an early death.' 2. Maintain your sobriety, participate in a positive support system. 'Surround yourself with positive, encouraging people. You've got to get out there and earn the money to put bread on your table. Ask them for advice, friendship, encouragement and prayers. You're going to need all that. You can be a supporter of your supporters.' 3. Take baby steps. Salinas, a 15-year Department of Corrections employee said she has witnessed first hand the `revolving doors' of corrections. 'Most people who come back have tried to do too much too fast,' she said. 'Babies must learn to crawl before they walk. Often they stumble in the process.' Salinas told them to not think they could go out, buy a big house, a big car and a big wardrobe immediately. 'You're probably going to have to take a minimum wage job,' she said with stern reality. 'You are going to stumble. You have to get up, dust yourself off. Eventually you can run.' 4. Serve others. Salinas said studies show that people do not develop a sense of serving others until they are 35 years old. 'Help those who need it,' she said, 'not for material gain but for the true feeling of helping your fellow man.' 'Help the little old woman across the street IF she wants to go. Be that example. 'Show the world you can change and that you have changed.' She concluded with quoting the familiar Old Irish Blessing. 'I commend you on what you've accomplished,' Salinas said. |
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