How To Eat An Elephant

I realize that I do not talk about it often, but religion and spirituality are topics that I am very interested in and drawn to. Through my own journey I have come to my particular beliefs, and I do not claim to have a monopoly on truth. I became unitarian universalist because of their tolerance for all belief systems that are not harmful. Most people aren't even aware of this group, but that's okay. I don't scoff at what others believe, I encourage them on their particular path and attempt to help them in any way I can. I think that's why I'm drawn to the Chaplaincy Department.

Wilkinson County's Correctional Center has, in recent months, hired a new chaplain to meet the spiritual needs of the prisoners housed here. Mr. Roscoe Barnes, Ph.D., is the man for the job. Working within the limitations of the prison environment he has begun weekly Jumah services for the Muslim prisoners, weekly Christian services, and even arranged for auditions for a praise group/choir á la American Idol. One man can only do so much when trying to meet the needs of over 900 prisoners, though.

What Chaplain Barnes needs right now are volunteers who will come in and share their time and love with prisoners. Mr. Barnes has reached out to the local congregations, and Christian volunteers are being vetted and trained to help. But other faiths and belief systems are underrepresented. I have seen that a lot in Mississippi, and I am asking for your help to change it. We need to see Islamic volunteers, Wiccans coming into prisons, Jewish believers sharing their love, Thelemites living by agape instead of mouthing the words, Kabbalists teaching from their wisdom. We aren't asking you to come in and try to convert everyone. Rather, we are asking that you share of yourself and donate your time, live by what you profess to believe.

Chaplain Barnes has a lot on his plate, but is undaunted by the enormity of the task. When I asked him how he plans on getting it all done, he asked a question in return. "You know how you eat an elephant?" Laughing, he answered his own question with a simple truth, "One bite at a time." I am glad to have Chaplain Barnes filling the position he does and I am asking that you help us to help him. We are looking for any groups that might be interested in donating materials and literature pertaining to their particular faith to the Chaplaincy Department at WCCC. Know of any covens or temples in the surrounding area that might have members interested in volunteering to do some prison outreach work? Have any suggestions or advice? You can contact us by emailing us at prisoninmateslife@gmail.com or by emailing Chaplain Barnes directly at roscoe.barnes@mtctrains.com or even by calling (601) 888-3199 ext. 2214 to speak to him. We look forward to any feedback from you.

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Victim's Father Protests Prisoner Transfer

Victim's advocate John Harmon (and father of fallen officer Casey Harmon) has recently made it into the media -again- by second-guessing MDOC officials and publicly protesting the transfer of prisoner Steven Farris from the Mississippi State Penitentiary to Wilkinson County Correctional Facility. Mr. Harmon's main concern was that WCCF was too "modern" for the likes of Steven Farris, and that Farris should still be housed somewhere on the grounds of the MSP at Parchman. >In the process of preparing to close Unit 32 at Parchman, about 70 prisoners were transferred to WCCF over a period of weeks. The WCCF houses prisoners of all security custody levels, including those with similar or worse charges than Farris, as well as at least two former death row prisoners, and has the same maximum security level as Unit 32. Contrary to what Mr. Harmon would like the public to believe, this transfer wasn't out of the norm.

If you'd like to read Steven's response to Mr. Harmon's protest and grandstanding, click here. The family and friends of Steven Farris manage this blog and help him make this more than a one-sided affair by typing and publishing his handwritten posts.

Introduction

Growing up in one of the nation's worst prisons hasn't been easy. See Profile People have asked how it is that I've kept from going crazy all these years. My answer? I have my family to thank for that. See, I was crazy before I got here. That's how I managed not to go turd-eating, wrist-cutting, screaming-into-the-commode (I only did that once), fighting-little-alligators crazier.

Blogging is something entirely new to me, and it's something I can't do without the help of my family and friends. They'll be taking my written words and entering them here and if it weren't for them, none of this would be possible for me. My thanks to them all.

The version of prison you've been force-fed by Hollywood? Regurgitate it out of your mind and get rid of it. Every prison is different, but none of them are cozy or comfy. We don't have big-screen plasma TVs, steak dinners, tennis courts or swimming pools. Where I'm at we're lucky to get fed on a clean tray and get 2,000 calories a day. We had to take the MDOC to court to get them to allow paperback books in through the mail from a publisher or vendor. In short, prison ain't nice.

I have a lot of ideas for this blog and things I want to talk about. You know who it's being written primarily for though? You. That's right. This land of the free is incarcerating more and more people every year. That means it's more likely than not that the prison industrial complex will touch your life in some way. You might've found this blog by accident, but I'll bet you have a family member or friend that's in jail, in prison, etc.

Your comments are welcomed and encouraged. Are there any topics you'd like to see discussed? Do you have any questions you'd like to ask me? Opinions you'll share? Suggestions? Even if you don't care about any of this, it affects you. That mechanic that works on your vehicle? The lady who takes your order at your favorite fast food place? The guy who picks up your garbage? All of them could be ex-cons. Former prisoners are everywhere. Many come out angrier and worse for the experience.

Where's the rehabilitation in any of this? IT ISN'T WORKING!
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