A few months ago, I completed my
correspondence course for paralegal certification and I was wondering what to
do with myself next. Since then, a number of interesting opportunities have
presented themselves to keep me busy in body, mind, and spirit. I thought I'd share them with you.
First, I was introduced to Samir
(Not his real name), a Saudi Arabian citizen who was arrested while studying
English after only a few months in Flagstaff, AZ. So now, I'm giving him
English lessons as he is barred from any educational programs offered to
inmates due to his citizenship. In exchange,
I get to practice my Arabic with him. I enjoy teaching him, though it's a
painful reminder that I'm a teacher at heart, a skill and gift that I may never
be able to utilize again as an ex-felon sex -offender with lifetime probation.
Through him, I met Amr (not his
real name), a political refugee from Sudan, one of the "lost boys,"
who rather lost himself in the incredible diversity and "debauchery"
of this country, so unlike anything he had ever experienced before.
I've been "editing/translating"
some of this writing, as his English is not particularly strong. It's been
incredibly moving to read about his difficult journey, his dream of escaping
the violence, hatred, and genocide of the Sudan, and his incredible joy and
relief at the opportunity to go to America, fulfilling a dream. Then, to be
caught up in the U.S. Justice system with little understanding of the system,
few resources, and little support and to find himself locked up in an Arizona
prison, possibly for life, for a crime he did not commit.
Then there's Larry (yeah, not real)
who I'm helping with an appeal on his case. Larry is an older guy (mid-50's) who
was a civil engineer with a pretty nice life. He drunkenly exposed himself in proximity
of a group of people. He signed a plea agreement with an expectation of 1.5
years of prison and a term of probation, the recommended sentence of pre-trial services.
The judge, upon the recommendation of the prosecution, aggravated both counts to
two years, to be run consecutively, to each be followed by lifetime probation,
giving him four years and two lifetime probations. (This two lifetime probation
is a common ploy in Arizona, as released felons were choosing to return to prison to avoid the lifetime probation, to "kill
their number". It didn't really
work, as many still do.) We're trying to get the sentence reduced, and to run
concurrently, as the sentences are dependent on one single action. The aggravating
factor was "harm to the victims".
Finally, I met Keoni (this is his
real name – he wanted me to use it), who heard i was trying to start a peer counseling
program here, due to the incredible lack of services offered for therapy or counseling.
Keoni has been working with members of the Integral Theory and Integral Life
Practice community.
Integral Theory, developed by Ken
Wilber, "makes sense of how all the worlds' knowledge systems...fit
together and can elevate our awareness
Drawing on science, psychology, human development, spirituality,
religion, and dozens of other fields, Integral Theory is a frame work for
understanding ourselves and the work we live in." For more information,
visit www.integral-life-practice.com.)
Keoni has been studying and working
on Integral practices for several years and was asked to write an article for
The Journal of Integral Theory and Practice.
Cindy Lou Golin, a prominent member of the Integral community, received
a grant to create an "Integral Inmate" peer education program in the
hopes of creating a framework for personal growth for inmates, led by and for
inmates, with the support of the Integral community.
Anyway, Keoni asked for "coaching"
in his writing and has shared loads of interesting and powerful ideas,
articles, and books so that I can better understand this concept. Anything that increases my knowledge and elevates
my state is of value to me.
So these are some of the ways I have
given my life meaning and purpose in a difficult environment, along with the
essays that I share with you.
