Inmate responds to letter

To the Editor:

Mary I. (Douthitt) Hendrickson, Brazil, wrote a letter titled, "No prisons needed," about how the inmates of old worked at the Indiana State Farm (Putnamville) and how the farm no longer does so.

The DOC saved taxpayers by joining forces with Aramark Corporation and saved more money when the farm was fully active.

I, as an inmate, having served a combined total of 18 years, agree no more prisons should be built, but as to the job issue, no inmate wants to work for $15-$20 a month and the majority do not.

But our Constitution says slavery is abolished, and that everyone within our borders who follow our laws must be paid, except those convicted by crimes.

Some states do not pay their inmates. The inmates earn good time so they get out earlier.

Indiana is one of the states that does pay its inmates. But the pay is from 12 cents all the way up to 45 cents, but most inmates are not willing to work for those price wages.

Not paying our inmates would start a riot, and that isn't good.

There are plenty of jobs in prison, but again, most aren't willing to work for slave-labor prices.

Plus, there isn't any absolute rehabilitation in prison.

We lost college for the most part, but GED remains.

We have substance abuse, anger management, stress management and behavior classes, but they aren't forced upon us.

Forcing things upon inmates creates worse problems then leaving them alone.

We also have DOC programs as well as a possible return of college, but again, they won't really fill the class because time cuts may not be allowed.

We are criminals, no denying that, but due to the fact that the DOC and Parole doesn't really help us out, except in a minimum, we don't actively seek out to help the DOC.

And on the street, there aren't very many jobs for ex-cons, nor any programs that can help us upon release.

We literally have to seek help for clothes, food, housing, medical, etc., and because there is no help, a lot of ex-cons return to criminal activities.

What we need are organizations that help us get on our feet.

Because, other than a re-entry check, we're left to our own devices and that in turn, leaves half the ex-cons eager to recommit.

Samuel L. Schmucker,

Bunker Hill, Ind.

P.S. -- Use that money they used to build prisons to pay the inmates better.