Good Ol' Mr. Hicks, a story for Correctional Officers

Back in December 2012, when I interviewed for a job as a Florida Correctional Officer I had a meeting with the Warden, Mr. David McCallum. I recall he said, "Remember brown and blue don't mix."  He was referring to officers (who wear brown) crossing the ethical line of being too friendly with an inmates (in blue).  Some inmates may be genuine and reforming, but the majority can be manipulative and officers can fall prey to them.

That thought has been with me, especially lately as I've met some really nice guys that are inmates, seemingly harmless fellows over the age of 70.

Last week, I was chatting with four elderly inmates at  breakfast, and I later found out that three of the four are in for murder.  So I wrote this poem...

"My Friend Mr. Hicks", by a Correctional Officer to his colleagues.

1) I met this man the other day, we seemed to hit it off.  Kind and friendly was his way, my buddies seemed to scoff.

Refrain
Brown and blue were meant for you, remember they never mix.  Not even with a good ol' boy, like inmate Mr. Hicks.

2) His name is Walt and he has a fault that happened long time ago.  It doesn't matter how or why, the fact is that its so.

Refrain

3) His blues are faded, is heart is jaded, his mind not fully there. He's doing life, for killing his wife, and doesn't seem to care.

Brown and blue were meant for you, remember they never mix. Don't cross the line, or you'll do the time, like good ol' Mr. Hicks.

Fellow officers, be firm, fair and consistent, but don't cross the line. - FLDOC Officer G. Koerner, Jan. 8, 2013.

On Post (For Peace)

The still of the night is only disturbed by the rush of traffic on my left, and the knowledge of people held behind razor wire on my right. But still there is an eerie peace, albeit false.  How can anyone or anything be at ease in this environment?

My mind wanders beyond this location to be back at home for stillness, rest and peace.  But is it there? I'm a frayed knot.

For amidst the shelter of a roof and protective walls, is a spirit of discord that has arisen from the conflict of every day life.  "My peace I leave with you." He says.  But where?

God grant me the ability to be an instrument of peace wherever I am.  Help me to know what I experience is normal, and peace comes from within, from our Savior.

Whether my surroundings are walls or wire, open air or the presence of others, let your serenity flow through me I pray.

G. Koerner, Jan. 6, 2014, 9pm.

His Touch

1. I work my hands and the far reaches of my mind, to be the best I can. But yet I find, my efforts fall short of what I am supposed to be, what I was meant to become.
But somehow I move forward, somehow I progress, and in every step find loveliness and the touch of His holiness.

2. I've made peace with the cards I've been given, with the man I've been called to be. Realized that being forgiven is something that was meant for me.
And somehow I'll move forward, somehow I'll progress. In every step find loveliness in the touch of His holiness.

3. I realize grace in every moment. Try to accept it for the man that lies within. Knowing that what's in store can be more, if I give my life to Him.

I'm determined to move forward, somehow I'll progress. In every step find something lovely in the touch of His holiness.I'm determined to move forward, somehow I'll progress. In every step find something lovely in the touch of His holiness.

(Final) I am the man I'm supposed to be, finding grace in every step.  I know that it will get better, every inch a little closer, as I walk toward the man from Galilee.

G. Koerner
Jan. 1, 2014, 10:00pm

The Prodigal Parent, a Poem

When I was a young man, my parents let me go. They loved me and trusted me to the extent I didn't know. When I messed up they didn't seem to mind; they loved me and forgave me and all was forgotten over time.

0h, how blessed is the prodigal parent, who prays, and teaches the lost. How indeed can I ever thank them? For my debt they incurred a great cost.

My brothers were'nt so lucky, my parent's anger quickly wore thin.  What I was able to freely do, to them it was a sin.

Consider the heart of the righteous, and blessed be the one, who doesn't have to learn life's lessons taught to a prodigal son.

My heart goes to the parent that does the best they can, who tries to make a proper choice for a boy to become a man.

Thank God we have a Savior who takes away all debt, the perfect parent up above, whom now mine have finally met.

0h, how blessed is the prodigal parent, who prays, and teaches the lost. How indeed can I ever thank them? For my debt they incurred a great cost.

A tribute to Karl and Irene Koerner, and all parents who pray for their children, from their son Gus. Jan. 2, 2014. Reference Luke 15:11-32.

New format

I'm starting a new format with this post. It seems my life just doesn't allow me to spend much time at a computer like I once was able to. So at least for a while, future posts will be from my mobile device, or on hand script, later made electronic.

My new job as a Correectional Officer is giving me the opportunity to associate with people in an intimate fashion which I never have before, law enforcement and prison inmates. What a blessing it has been.

Feedback On The 100-Hour Transition Program

This is a very unique program and I have enjoyed every minute of teaching and working with the inmates taking the class.  These are some of my observations and suggestions to the program.  When I refer to “students” I am speaking of the inmates:

It seems there’s a mandate that the students get exactly 100 hours of face-to-face instruction from the curriculum and approved DOC videos.  I think between facilitators, institution supervisors and administrators that could be defined differently.  There needs to be some flexibility there, in that some of the highest quality moments of instruction can come with one-to-one interviews with the instructor outside the formal classroom.  The institution as a whole can release (in my experience) up to a hundred inmates a month from all three units.  In cases such as this, a balance must be struck to get all these students trained and ready to leave.

The motion picture Antwone Fisher, 2002 with Denzel Washington needs to be on the approved video list.  It is riveting for the students, and it is a very good lead-in lesson to Anger Management, Decision Making, Problem Solving, Social Situations and Families.

I’d like to see a greater association with Chaplaincy services.  Perhaps some of the volunteers in that area could be trained to instruct parts of Transition, so as to free up time for the Facilitator to spend more time with individuals in and out of confinement.  I’d also like to see a Transition Volunteer program.  This would not only help his/her program, but could also serve the smaller work camps.

Facilitators need to become collaborators with the different learning areas of the institution.  This has been a true blessing to my program.  This can become necessary when students have special medical (physical and mental) needs or learning disabilities.  I had a hearing impaired (100% deaf) student who sat in my class for days not learning until I found some other inmates and staff who knew ASL (sign).  Is it possible to Close Caption our video series?

I want to encourage Facilitators to consider themselves Customer Service agents.  We serve the inmates.  Sure, the students are convicted felons, but in a very short time they will be “normal” citizens in our communities, shopping at Winn Dixie. Are we preparing them for that?  While in the Transition class, there needs to be a genuine attitude of transition, (i.e. a kind of metamorphosis) in that I don’t think there is harm in beginning to treat them as ladies and gentlemen with respect, honesty and candor that any person on the outside would expect and deserve.  Yes they’re inmates and some will still steal stapler springs, but we need to treat them with respect and let them know it is expected in return.

I have regularly used as a community information resource the University of Florida / IFAS Extension System, especially their Families and Consumer section, and their free publication through EDIS.  EDIS is the Electronic Data Information Source  of UF/IFAS Extension, a collection of information on topics relevant to consumers, especially Florida residents.    UFL/IFAS has an office in virtually every Florida county the students may visit for free or low cost information and services.

Is a graduate student somewhere surveying released felons on what helped or hindered their transition?

Should the Transition Facilitator take on part of the task of finding students leads for employment, identification, felon check-in locations and driver’s license issues?  I think the short answer is “no”, but with Classification and Release Officers being backed up with work, if Transition doesn’t assist, they will not get this information.  Learning the 14 Transition lessons is beneficial, but if an inmate can’t find necessary resources, it’s more probable he or she will return.  One small suggestion would be to verify possession of Social Security cards early in an inmate’s confinement.  Why wait until the end of a 10+ year sentence to apply for a SS card?

I have really appreciated the re-supply of classroom materials such as pencils, folders and paper.  Thank you.  I suggest an auto-resupply mechanism such as 1 new pencil for every pre/post test returned and 1 ream of paper for every 10 class evaluations, or something like that.  That is, if you’re having a hard time getting these critical documents returned.

I’d really like to see some interaction with other Transition Facilitators, even virtual such as a community blog, Skype or regular teleconference.  We need this for encouragement and idea and resource swapping.

Final note: I have thoroughly enjoyed this time as a facilitator of this program and working with you and the Classification staff.  Even though I am leaving for a different position with DOC, I hope our paths cross often.