Woodworking
A few months ago my friend Michael who is serving life without parole in an Alabama prison asked me to buy some wood so he could make items to sell at a consignment shop owned by a fellow inmate’s sister. There isn’t a way to earn spending money at the prison.
I figured he had access to a workshop with tools for his projects. When I asked Michael about that, he said there isn’t a workshop. All his woodworking is done in his cell using handmade tools. He’s fashioned a saw out of old razor blades and a drill using the core of a AA battery.
I admit I was a bit skeptical, especially when he said he would build roll top desks and gazebos. How would he have enough room in his cell to build something that big and heavy-not to mention sawing 1 x 6s with razor blades? I was even more skeptical when he sent a letter letting me know he had shipped a roll top desk to me.
This week a large square box arrived from Michael with 34 first class stamps affixed to the outside. The abundance of stamps reminded me of sending letters home from Mexico during a period of hyperinflation when the postage rates kept rising faster than they could print new stamps. Most letters were sent home with five to ten postage stamps on the envelope.
Below is the beautiful cedar miniature roll top desk I found packed with newspaper inside the box. It is about 2 feet tall. Not a single nail was used to build it. I need to fix a few pieces that fell off in transit, but overall it is in excellent shape. What an amazing talent. And to think I doubted.
Comments
That is remarkable, JD! Please let your friend know the internets are impressed by his talent and drive.
Posted by: Lisa | September 23, 2007 1:48 PM
Wow! That's really great.
Posted by: Kelley | September 23, 2007 9:25 PM
What a beautiful gift! I see your friend has a sense of humour, JD!
About LWOP. Until recently, a life sentence meant at most 20-odd years here in Australia. This has changed but LWOP remains very infrequently used. Thank goodness for that.
Although LWOP is far more humane than capital punishment, I cannot see much value in a System that doesn't consider that most people deserve a chance to redeem themselves...
In many Scandinavian countries, I believe "life" sometimes means as little as 10 years (e.g. in Sweden). Instead, they focus on "rehabilitation" - using psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers and volunteers to help prisoners "reform" in the most humane way possible, so that they are much less likely to reoffend when they finish serving their sentences.
...Oh by the way, a Buddhist organisation here has a program whereby volunteers write to prisoners (usually ones serving LWOP) around the world, offering moral support etc. - often it's the only outside contact they have. Seems like a very worthwhile thing everyone can do.
Posted by: DC | September 24, 2007 10:37 PM
I will do that Lisa. Thanks Kell.
DC, I completely agree with you. What is even sadder here is back in the eighties the mantra was three strikes and your out; hence after the third felony prisoners were locked up for good.
Having written Michael for about 18 months now, my eyes have been open on the topic. He has served 24 years, recognizes and has paid for his mistakes and wants to and I think could become a productive member of society.
To that end, LaPriel and I have hired some attornies who have reviewed his case and believe he has a shot to get his sentence overturned. It is a painfully slow process, though.
What is the name of the Bhuddhist organization? It sounds interesting.
Posted by: jd | September 25, 2007 4:35 AM
The fact is, a system of "punishment" assumes that there is no cause and effect - that, society is not also responsible for the crimes its citizens commit. It's very egotistical of course. :-(
I hope, with your family's help, your friend Michael will get another chance. I am not sure how the legal system works over there, but over here we would tend to work together with members of parliament as well as NGOs + the media. But Michael is lucky to have friends who care.
Oh, the Buddhist organisation isn't one unique one - it's a Tibetan sect. But their work with prisoners is called "Liberation Prison Project" - website here: http://www.liberationprisonproject.org/index2.html
But I did some research and found that there are many Christian organisations around the world doing the same for prisoners, too.
Posted by: DC | September 25, 2007 9:08 PM
His work is beautiful. Let us know how the legal efforts go. You and LaPriel are doing great things.
Posted by: Blu | September 25, 2007 11:03 PM
Thank, Blu.
Posted by: jd | September 27, 2007 8:16 AM