I'm slowly working on cleaning off my desk and came across three nice letters from inmates around the country.   They're always a treat and I try to visualize the guy writing the letter, surrounded by other inmates, behind bars, being punished for some wrong, and trying to create a new dream.

             Most people have never been in a prison.  Many years ago when we had a prison right here in Staunton I used to do a Bible study there.  We met in the dining hall and it was always a highlight of my week.  I learned that these are people; yes, they've done some bad things; they've made mistakes.  But first and foremost, they are people.

             That experience gradually led me to loathe prisons and to realize that America's prison system is anti-human.  That doesn't mean I'm soft on crime.  I'm a big believer in punishment, but prisons are not good punishment.  We should have stocks, caning, whipping--you know, real fast, punitive measures and then release.  I've never met an inmate that thought prison cured anything.

             I have met inmates who preferred a severe beating and then freedom. It's a lot cheaper too.  Ask Singapore, where they have professional caners.  And very little crime.  Prison is one of the hardest places on the planet to find hope and vision for your future. 

             So when I get inmate letters written by guys who dare to dream about when they get out--often years in the future--and build their fantasy farm in their heads,  I'm encouraged and optimistic.  The guys (sorry, I've never gotten a letter form an inmate gal . . . still waiting) who can rise above their circumstances and create farms in their heads are truly leaders and heroes in my book.

             I used to send them all my books free.  But several years ago these boxes began coming back.  The wardens wouldn't let them in anymore.  That seemed to be a nationwide change of practice.  Then I'd start sending them to the prison library.  These days, I send them to a friend or family member on the outside who can then bring them in one at a time on visitation.

             Turns out people were sending books in with certain pages doused in drugs or razors buried in the spine.  I've sent hundreds and hundreds of books over the years because I'm a believer in second chances.  Listen, if a guy uses his incarceration time to read about soil-building farming, I'm going to do everything possible to feed that dream.  I always invite them to come and visit us when they get out.  Few do because they have multi-year prohibitions on travel.

             These guys spend years in prison, completely cut off from the outside world, and then when they get paroled they get dropped off in some place without a dime, without knowing a soul, with travel prohibitions and it's good riddance.  The only requirement is that they show up at the parole office for their scheduled visit.  But society views them as a pariah; society doesn't forgive.  Society is not about second chances; it's about beating the guy that's down.  We're worse than chickens, except we don't usually eat them.

             Many inmates have rural roots.  They grew up on a farm or they have families that farm.  I've corresponded with hundreds of inmates over the years.  I don't know if I've helped any reboot, but I know they've been an inspiration to me.  With that much time to think, they have all sorts of ideas and questions.  If I can just feed the dream, that's enough. 

             That as a culture we assume being tough on crime is building more prisons is unconscionable.  A country that can create Google and Amazon and Impossible Burger surely ought to be able to administer proper punishment through a mechanism better than multi-year time-outs that cost $100,000 per year.  Punishment should be severe enough to satisfy society's retribution, but it should be quick with the end being full restoration.  This is how we deal with our kids; don't our adult misbehavers deserve the same?

             Have you ever spent time in a jail, either as visitor or guest?