AN INMATE TO LOVE

            I've befriended inmates all my life.  I'm not a fan of prisons; they do not accomplish anything positive.  That doesn't mean I'm soft on punishment; it just means I don't see any efficacy in the current American prison system.  That's a topic for another day.

             Over the years, I've corresponded with countless inmates from around the country and sent them hundreds of books. That's part of my charitable tithing.  I receive many letters from inmates and military personnel; both groups have a common context:  lots of time on their hands.  As a result, they tend toward conversations and brainstorming sessions, usually centered on "what will we do when we get out?"  Both prisons and military service share that dimension.  No intent here to denigrate either; it's just a fact.

             Yesterday I received the most heartwarming letter from an inmate in Oregon who has served 18 years of a 23 year sentence.  Six years ago he asked the prison bosses for a few seeds, six buckets, and some potting soil.  They scrounged up some seeds and buckets but no soil, so he dug some dirt "out back."

             In his words, "fast forward six years.  I now plant spring and summer crops, order all equipment and supplies and have a 10-man crew to work seven acres of land at this prison, which turns out about 150,000 pounds of produce each year."

             Is that not the coolest thing ever?  He should be featured on the front page of the New York Times.  In a time of despair and unsettledness, this fellow is doing legacy work in a terrible environment.  What's my excuse?

             Lest we overlook his partners, I give kudos to the prison warden who obviously came alongside with respect and faith to let this fellow develop his prison garden farm.  Too many administrators wouldn't allow, much less facilitate, such a program.

             By the time I finished his letter, I was in tears.  Here is a guy who chose to make the most of his situation.  He didn't wait for someone to fix his problem; he didn't seek vengeance or fixate on the weaknesses of the system.  He rolled up his sleeves, took advantage of what he could, obviously communicated passion and vision and through sheer strength of character created more cultural positives than most folks ever do who have never been incarcerated.  It's a wonderful, joyful, compelling story, a true lifter-upper for today.

             I realize the letters I receive from inmates come from the ones who utilize their time and situation to great advantage; many don't.  But the ones who choose to better themselves, who choose to love and not hate, who choose to think about what's possible and not impossible; these choose wisely.  When the most common narrative is negative, we need to embrace and relish the stories like this, stories of overcoming, of right attitude, of sacred practice.  This fellow is a leader we'd all do well to follow.

             Do you know a prisoner success story?