One of the most difficult parts of being in prison is finding someone to engage in conversation. On the street there was always someone to engage in a lively discussion of politics. Today we are in the middle of the government shut down and the debt ceiling needs to be raised to avoid default on federal obligations. It should be easy to find people who can present ideas on what needs to be done. Here nobody knows and more importantly nobody cares. They care only about their immediate needs and wants. They live in the moment. They live for something that pleases them.

We just started getting FOX news a couple of months ago. I think it is interesting that the current government is being run by liberal democrats but the only news station they give us has a conservative republican slant. Surely they thought this through, but then maybe I’m giving them too much credit, it could also be that it is even more sinister than I imagine. The current Colorado government equates evil criminals as conservative republications. As if that is not bad enough they dropped our Turner movie channel and gave us cartoon network. Today when I walked out into the day room there were 20 men; men in their 30’s and 40’s, all sitting around the TV watching cartoons. What a sad statement.

There are 100 men in my unit and there are only 2 who get the newspaper. Both of them get it for the TV guide. They give the coupons to the officers.

About 1/3 of the inmate population does not have a high school diploma or a GED. The current level needed to pass the GED is an 8^th grade achievement. Many of the men function at 5^th grade or below. Very few speak English well. Very few non-English speaking inmates speak Spanish well. This all means they cannot effectively communicate. Often when I hear a confrontation between a CO (correctional officer) and an inmate it is due to the fact that the inmate cannot effectively communicate their needs. They are used to being aggressive and acting out because they don’t have a vocabulary to express themselves. They also don’t have the grammar skills to speak effectively even if they had the words.

The GED is offered in both English and Spanish. Those that are here from Mexico are often offered the chance to take the GED in Spanish. Unfortunately they are as illiterate in Spanish as they are in English. The lack of speaking English well is not just by those from Mexico. Many USA citizens of all ethnic backgrounds don’t speak English well at all. I can’t tell you how often I have heard them speak of faux dollars, faux cards, faux soups and many other things. It was only later that I learned they were not saying faux, but a destruction of the word “four”.

Most of the men are busy trying to learn how to be better criminals. They recite their crimes to others and look for critiques on how they can improve. They also look for new opportunities to get rich without working. As much time and effort as they spend on this they could get a legitimate degree and have a decent career.

So there is no one to talk to about current events, the Holy Spirit or how to get out of prison and lead a Godly life. It would be nice to have a REAL Christian to talk to. Not a Jail house Christian.

Till next time

Todd