tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post8673779388775752890..comments2024-03-28T18:40:05.789-04:00Comments on Writers Who Kill: Going Home--Release from PrisonJim Jacksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15090252530437277145noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-23699757661252007692017-08-08T21:07:24.015-04:002017-08-08T21:07:24.015-04:00Kaye, I hope you're right. I have no doubt tha...Kaye, I hope you're right. I have no doubt that Smiley is determined to work things out, at least at this point. Whether that will continue or not, I don't know.KM Rockwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03973749764907859829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-27096887796124438542017-08-08T21:05:00.023-04:002017-08-08T21:05:00.023-04:00Grace, thank you and your Prison Ministries for yo...Grace, thank you and your Prison Ministries for your work. It's very difficult to ever know whether you're making a positive difference or not. So many inmates are chameleons--the old "Fake it to make it" mentality. You'll never know until it's too late whether someone will take the opportunities you provide and use them as a foundation to build a better life.<br />KM Rockwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03973749764907859829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-72117790283948053232017-08-08T21:01:23.840-04:002017-08-08T21:01:23.840-04:00What kind words, Gloria! I do have a new novel par...What kind words, Gloria! I do have a new novel partially written (Ponzi scheme operating in churches!) for Jesse, but I've been putting more energy into short stories. KM Rockwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03973749764907859829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-10515433204924892162017-08-08T20:59:36.666-04:002017-08-08T20:59:36.666-04:00Leslie, there's a very strong feeling among ma...Leslie, there's a very strong feeling among many people that prison inmates deserve what they get, and no one should help them. This ignores the reality that when someone feels they have been placed in a hopeless situation, they are not going to be successful. And thus a self-fulfilling prophecy is established.KM Rockwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03973749764907859829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-36820660983393994932017-08-08T20:55:08.330-04:002017-08-08T20:55:08.330-04:00You're so right, Warren. I remember a CO (corr...You're so right, Warren. I remember a CO (corrections officer) who had transferred from the old penitentiary downtown. It was maximums security, so the inmates there had enough behavior problems that they had never been moved to a lesser security level. That didn't mean that they would never be released. He said that when their release date came, they would be given street cloths and their gate money, and let out the front door (some of them had to be physically shoved.)<br /><br />This happened at four o'clock in the afternoon. With no one to help them and no idea of where to go, they'd sit on the front steps for a few hours until eventually they'd wander off. There's no doubt in my mind most of them had done something with 24 hours that could get them locked up again. KM Rockwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03973749764907859829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-5386131760402982102017-08-08T17:01:27.866-04:002017-08-08T17:01:27.866-04:00What an intensely interesting post! I love the ins...What an intensely interesting post! I love the insight you're able to give me into this system. I hope it works out for Smiley, although I know it's a long shot. He seems determined to try for it--best of luck to him. And bless you, Saint KM.Kaye Georgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05596677617002735674noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-42634202455356079622017-08-08T15:21:59.784-04:002017-08-08T15:21:59.784-04:00Such sad situations for so many of the released pr...Such sad situations for so many of the released prisoners. One of the charities that I support is Prison Ministries from our diocese. A little nun goes into a local prison and tries to provide some comfort and guidance. Thank you, Kathleen for all you do and for bringing awareness to the plight of released prisoners.Grace Toppinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10291304815273486038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-35045741203463417172017-08-08T13:01:07.358-04:002017-08-08T13:01:07.358-04:00I agree with Jim, although like you said some peop...I agree with Jim, although like you said some people should be permanently locked away.<br />I think it's wonderful how you held people like Smiley. I only hope this is the beginning of a new series or a continuation of your current one. I miss your Jesse Damon series.Gloria Aldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13581719606924364447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-39485107029465542702017-08-08T12:26:36.459-04:002017-08-08T12:26:36.459-04:00Thanks, Kathleen. The surprise in your post for me...Thanks, Kathleen. The surprise in your post for me is how little -- zero -- resources are available to help Smiley find a suitable placement after his release. Leslie Budewitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11942314846112875042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-56054643419997188352017-08-08T11:47:07.472-04:002017-08-08T11:47:07.472-04:00So many things are stacked against someone release...So many things are stacked against someone released from prison. In MO the ex-con did not qualify for welfare. So no welfare, no job, what does that leave which is legal?Warren Bullhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07789270258599769915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-72950050733802862712017-08-08T10:21:35.937-04:002017-08-08T10:21:35.937-04:00Shari, while I don't want to get on a soapbox,...Shari, while I don't want to get on a soapbox, I do like to present realistic situations that many people face when trying to rejoin society.KM Rockwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03973749764907859829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-36940045433803162562017-08-08T10:19:57.647-04:002017-08-08T10:19:57.647-04:00I've got my fingers crossed, Margaret. I hope ...I've got my fingers crossed, Margaret. I hope I can provide enough of a start that he will be able to pick up, find a job and survive on the street.KM Rockwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03973749764907859829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-72218905970101372822017-08-08T10:18:24.995-04:002017-08-08T10:18:24.995-04:00I'm sure you've seen a lot of discouraging...I'm sure you've seen a lot of discouraging situations during your career, Debra. Evaluation is certainly needed. What is the purpose of our "corrections" system? To keep people away from society for public safety? To punish people? To provide an opportunity for a person to actually "correct" his/her behavior? Most inmates come out more accomplished and better criminals than they were going in.KM Rockwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03973749764907859829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-83091461671671341102017-08-08T10:14:57.777-04:002017-08-08T10:14:57.777-04:00I agree, Jim.
While there are some people who nee...I agree, Jim.<br /><br />While there are some people who need to be kept away from society indefinitely, I would rather we spend less on actual incarceration and more on re-integration. The trend has been to do away with parole, but most inmates will be released at some time. Wouldn't it be better to release them when there's still some control over them, and put some money and effort into providing an opportunity for people to have a reasonable chance to be successful? Granted, not everyone will use the opportunity wisely, but as it is, someone released who has no support and no place to go will probably be committing a crime before tomorrow, even if it's dumpster-diving to get something to eat.KM Rockwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03973749764907859829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-67239521645086666092017-08-08T09:19:33.652-04:002017-08-08T09:19:33.652-04:00You've opened the eyes of a lot of people, Kat...You've opened the eyes of a lot of people, Kathleen. I didn't realize how difficult it is for a person to make the transition from prison. This is part of what makes your books so gripping - the view into a world that so many of us don't see.Shari Randallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16425493627354028820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-10414715488218221832017-08-08T08:58:36.410-04:002017-08-08T08:58:36.410-04:00As powerful as your books, Kathleen. I hope it all...As powerful as your books, Kathleen. I hope it all works out for Smiley.Margaret S. Hamiltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07979191318652199350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-12014726361084653862017-08-08T07:15:00.883-04:002017-08-08T07:15:00.883-04:00Well written -- a mix of compassion and practicali...Well written -- a mix of compassion and practicality of a system that needs evaluation. Debra H. Goldsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17533446284471717884noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-20621584082840585812017-08-08T06:57:35.984-04:002017-08-08T06:57:35.984-04:00Interesting post KM. My financial side objects str...Interesting post KM. My financial side objects strongly to our incarceration system as being expensive and worse, inefficient, in preventing crime. As a society we are penny wise and pound foolish on so many issues and this is one of them.<br /><br />~ Jim<br />Jim Jacksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15090252530437277145noreply@blogger.com