Data on incarcerated military veterans is sketchy; arrest records don’t capture military status. In 2018, two percent of the inmates in the Illinois Department of Corrections system identified themselves as military veterans. This story came from one of them.
During his two decades in the maximum security facility (a.k.a. “the pit”) at Menard Correctional Center, an Air Force vet incurred no infractions. He had acquired a number of college degrees by correspondence and worked in the prison’s law library. He facilitated different learning and self-improvement groups, including a gathering of men who had served in the military. After 20 years in max, he received a transfer to Menard’s medium security facility nearby, commonly called “the hill.”
Typically, inmates who transfer to the hill are housed in temporary quarters and then moved to permanent quarters. Those permitted to work are usually housed together in a special workers’ section. This case, however, proved atypical.
The D-Wing Deplorables
The prisoner told his tale in a letter:
I’m on the ‘unassigned’ wing and will not be moving. This wing is considered the ghetto here. The counselor called me in and told me ‘staff’ has requested I remain on this wing even after I begin working. The counselor told ‘staff’ it was unfair to me as I did 20 years in the pit and earned the right to live in a peaceful situation. The counselor then went on to say that ‘staff’ requested it because ‘he’s having a positive impact/influence on the younger guys.’
I agreed to stay with the ‘D-wing Deplorables’ as we’re called. It’s mostly young men with short time and even shorter tempers.
Two young men, ages 23 and 21, have started calling me ‘Dad.’ I asked them why, and they both said they’ve never had a dad in their lives, and I’m the closest thing to a dad they’ll ever experience.
Such a sad commentary that a young man looks to a convicted murderer to seek a father figure. What a humble position and great responsibility God has given me.
Leading From the Middle?
The account triggered a memory about something my trumpeter-son once told me. He had just concluded a summer performing with one of those big “elite” drum and bugle corps that do all that precision marching on football fields.
“When it comes to parades,” he said, “always put your best marchers in the middle.”
Hmmm. I’m pretty sure there’s a connection here somewhere, but I’m still puzzling it out.
Morris Sampler 