A FATHER’S DAY PREQUEL

I can shake off everything if I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.                                                                                                        —Anne Frank

Why do I do it? Why do I continue to teach convicted-felons? Seldom (if ever) do I hear about the success stories, those parolees who redeem themselves through hard work and sacrifice. No. I hear about the failures and in responding to them it’d be much easier for me to cast the first stone or the second or the third; yet, I find myself deflecting what’s thrown my way: complaints, threats, you name it (and not always from within the concertina-wired fence seen from my classroom window).

Back in December a 22-year old prisoner paroled from the facility where I work—a risky, but sensible decision made by the parole board; he had a nonviolent criminal offense  stealing cars.

Within 3 months of freedom he and his friend Jamal Rogers (another 22-year old ex-con) made plans to get Jamal out of foreseeable child-support payments. Together they kidnapped Jamal’s female acquaintance, a 9-month pregnant 22-year old woman. They lit her on fire. They shot her in the back.

She played possum.

She survived.

She had the baby.

It’s not a perfect world. Jamal Rogers fathered not one, not two, but three children. Perhaps “fathered” isn’t the right word-choice. I use it anyway. It’s a matter of perspective, of viewpoint. He fathered a 3-year old, a 1-year old, and now a newborn.

In the Michigan prison system there are programs on responsible fatherhood where they teach parenting skills. I’m not into casting stones. What’s the point? Now is the time for healing. Years from now there's a slim possibility that each child may become curious as to who his or her father is and why he hasn’t been around. In the not too distant future Jamal may have a few additions to his prisoner visitor’s list; Bonds could form. Until then, I’ll sit among the rocks and hold my head high. There is always hope.