The recent killings of police officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge reflect a growing anger and frustration among minorities especially, but Americans in general, towards the law enforcement community and by extension the entire criminal justice system.
Every time the media fills our T.V. screens with images and stories of another young black man killed by a police officer, the racial tension grows. It grows in our communities, it grows in our churches, it grows in our schools, and it grows in our prisons.
Fifty plus years of work towards healing between people groups is threatened every time another suspect is deprived of equal justice and served his sentence instead by a cop who will himself be given unequal justice by the courts who refuse to hold rogue cops accountable.
These years of work towards healing are also threatened whenever hatred towards these injustices results in the killing of cops. Martin Luther King Jr. refused to engage in violent behavior, or to encourage violence with hateful and divisive rhetoric because he understood that hate is never healed with hate.
It's time for our country to fix the problem of street and judicial injustice and to begin to find solutions that are inclusive and healing. It is also time for the hateful and divisive rhetoric of the violent protesters to stop. Let's stop fueling a growing divide and begin healing the brokenness, fear, and hatred that exists on both sides.
If we want to change this divide we must change the conversation. We cannot depend on politicians to solve this problem though. We must own it ourselves and begin an honest dialogue where the tension grows the most: in our communities, churches, schools, and prisons.
Friday, July 29, 2016
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
What Motivates People to Change?
When I worked as a GED tutor in prison I often had an insightful look into human nature and at times, more specifically, into the attitudes and behaviors typical in criminal personalities.
A high school diploma or GED is the bare minimum needed to get a job today. Yet, many of the men I worked with placed very little value on this achievement. The psychological factors for this apathy are many and varied. Feelings of low self-worth or ability, fear of embarrassment of peers, or simply an apathy or hatred toward societal norms are only a few of these factors.
I am no a psychologist so I do no try to resolve these underlying issues when I tutor other prisoners. However, I often try to identify what motivates a student so that I can more effectively appeal to these things as I tutor.
Although research done by the RAND Corporation has shown a correlation between education and lower re-offense rates, the Michigan Department of Corrections makes almost no effort to incentivize the achievement of educational milestones. In most Michigan prisons when a prisoner successfully completes his GED his picture is taken with a certificate and posted in the school building. There is no attempt to celebrate this often monumental first positive achievement in the life of these prisoners.
People are motivated by either internal or external factors, and sometimes by a combination of these. The obvious external factors for GED prisoner students is recognition among peers, and more importantly, recognition by one's mother, grandmother, or children. Another external factor is if the parole board wants to see the completion of this milestone.
External factors are important, and they are often the first place to start appealing to when trying to motivate someone. However, internal factors are much stronger than external factors.
Some internal factors include the drive or need for achievement, cultural expectations, and intrinsic motivation or self-motivated behavior toward a goal.
These factors are rare among prisoner students, and therefore difficult to use successfully in an appeal. I personally believe that internatl factors of motivation cannot be taught, but I believe it is possible to awaken in a person the internal factors already present that lay dormant. When I have tutored I tried to excite the student to the possibilities new-found knowledge can bring to his life. This is not always effective, but I've learned that until someone really wants something himself he'll find many reasons and excuses to avoid achieving it.
A high school diploma or GED is the bare minimum needed to get a job today. Yet, many of the men I worked with placed very little value on this achievement. The psychological factors for this apathy are many and varied. Feelings of low self-worth or ability, fear of embarrassment of peers, or simply an apathy or hatred toward societal norms are only a few of these factors.
I am no a psychologist so I do no try to resolve these underlying issues when I tutor other prisoners. However, I often try to identify what motivates a student so that I can more effectively appeal to these things as I tutor.
Although research done by the RAND Corporation has shown a correlation between education and lower re-offense rates, the Michigan Department of Corrections makes almost no effort to incentivize the achievement of educational milestones. In most Michigan prisons when a prisoner successfully completes his GED his picture is taken with a certificate and posted in the school building. There is no attempt to celebrate this often monumental first positive achievement in the life of these prisoners.
People are motivated by either internal or external factors, and sometimes by a combination of these. The obvious external factors for GED prisoner students is recognition among peers, and more importantly, recognition by one's mother, grandmother, or children. Another external factor is if the parole board wants to see the completion of this milestone.
External factors are important, and they are often the first place to start appealing to when trying to motivate someone. However, internal factors are much stronger than external factors.
Some internal factors include the drive or need for achievement, cultural expectations, and intrinsic motivation or self-motivated behavior toward a goal.
These factors are rare among prisoner students, and therefore difficult to use successfully in an appeal. I personally believe that internatl factors of motivation cannot be taught, but I believe it is possible to awaken in a person the internal factors already present that lay dormant. When I have tutored I tried to excite the student to the possibilities new-found knowledge can bring to his life. This is not always effective, but I've learned that until someone really wants something himself he'll find many reasons and excuses to avoid achieving it.
Saturday, July 16, 2016
One Critical Key to Successful Habit Change
I recently finished reading The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg. In this book he claims that one important element of habit formation, really habit change, is harnessing the power of group dynamics. According to Duhigg the persistence of habit change is greatly enhanced when one first believes in his or her own ability to change and then surrounds himself or herself with people who likewise share in this desire and belief in change.
This use of group dynamics is not a new concept. Weight Watchers has capitalized on it for decades. It is also, as researchers have recently discovered, the key to success in twelve-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous. Even religion has reinforced faith for centuries using the power of assembling like-minded followers on a weekly basis.
I do not know if the success of group support for habit change is because of the added motivation of other travellers on the same journey or because of the increase in fear of shame from failing that one feels by involving others. I suppose it could be a combination of both.
Nevertheless, as I read Duhigg's book I wondered how the concepts could be applied in the prison setting. Frankly, I think that is exactly the reason why I was assigned to read this book by a Calvin College professor in the first place. How can I personally apply these principles, and how can I affect change in my prison community with these concepts?
From a personal perspective, the idea of changing habits in my life that have either been unhelpful or have had a direct influence in leading me to prison becomes even more urgent and important in my continued growth. Applying the power of group support means searching out and surrounding myself with other men in prison who hold the same desire and belief in change. To me it also means finding "supporters" outside of prison who will believe in my ability to change and who have the desire to see that change in my life. It even means finding people who have already travelled the path I am on who will encourage me.
Affecting change within the prison community is a little more difficult. The level of apathy and complete hopelessness, or worse yet the denial in believing one needs to change are difficult hurdles to overcome. As with any change, however, it is important to start where one is able. I may not be able to change the culture of prison, but I can work to change the content of a conversation. I can seek out like-minded men who may only be like-minded in one way and build on that. I can work to change the negative attitudes around me by exuding a spirit of gratefulness.
Sometimes group dynamics happen organically and quickly. Other times, and I would argue more sustainably, it happens intentionally and grows slowly. The key is to be intentional and consistent so others will want to become a part of the change they see in me.
Let me ask you: In what ways has a group positively affected change in your life? Is there a habit that needs to be changed in your life that would benefit from the power of group support? What is keeping you from starting today?
This use of group dynamics is not a new concept. Weight Watchers has capitalized on it for decades. It is also, as researchers have recently discovered, the key to success in twelve-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous. Even religion has reinforced faith for centuries using the power of assembling like-minded followers on a weekly basis.
I do not know if the success of group support for habit change is because of the added motivation of other travellers on the same journey or because of the increase in fear of shame from failing that one feels by involving others. I suppose it could be a combination of both.
Nevertheless, as I read Duhigg's book I wondered how the concepts could be applied in the prison setting. Frankly, I think that is exactly the reason why I was assigned to read this book by a Calvin College professor in the first place. How can I personally apply these principles, and how can I affect change in my prison community with these concepts?
From a personal perspective, the idea of changing habits in my life that have either been unhelpful or have had a direct influence in leading me to prison becomes even more urgent and important in my continued growth. Applying the power of group support means searching out and surrounding myself with other men in prison who hold the same desire and belief in change. To me it also means finding "supporters" outside of prison who will believe in my ability to change and who have the desire to see that change in my life. It even means finding people who have already travelled the path I am on who will encourage me.
Affecting change within the prison community is a little more difficult. The level of apathy and complete hopelessness, or worse yet the denial in believing one needs to change are difficult hurdles to overcome. As with any change, however, it is important to start where one is able. I may not be able to change the culture of prison, but I can work to change the content of a conversation. I can seek out like-minded men who may only be like-minded in one way and build on that. I can work to change the negative attitudes around me by exuding a spirit of gratefulness.
Sometimes group dynamics happen organically and quickly. Other times, and I would argue more sustainably, it happens intentionally and grows slowly. The key is to be intentional and consistent so others will want to become a part of the change they see in me.
Let me ask you: In what ways has a group positively affected change in your life? Is there a habit that needs to be changed in your life that would benefit from the power of group support? What is keeping you from starting today?
Sunday, July 10, 2016
Calvin College is Making a Difference in Prison
I recently arrived at a new prison facility to begin participating in a bachelors degree program called the Calvin College Prison Initiative. This program is a donor sponsored bachelors degree program in ministry leadership provided by Calvin College our of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Twenty prisoners are selected each year to participate based on their desire, their institutional behavior record, and educational criteria determined by Calvin staff.
This program is designed to train prisoners to be effective positive leaders in their communities both in prison and upon release. This is a worthy goal that can be supported by prison officials and community leaders alike.
I am excited to begin classes in September. The challenge of the classroom and book work is something I relish. In the meantime, I am building relationships and becoming a part of the culture that has already begun to be established by the first year students.
When this year's students arrived at MTU from the previous prisons where they had been housed, the inaugural class greeted us warmly with open arms. While we waited for our property to be processed and returned to us, some of the first year students handed us deodorants, toothbrushes, and toothpaste so we could clean up from our gruelingly long and exhausting transfer.
This was my first peek into the subculture of the Calvin College students within the broader and more selfish culture of prison. While is is still too early to tell, I am hopeful that this attitude of brotherhood, generosity of spirit, and cooperation runs deep and remains strong. I am sure that conflicts and differences will arise, but if we are being trained to be effective, positive leaders these should be nothing more than opportunities to practice the skills and knowledge we acquire.
I am grateful that the staff at Calvin College and the generous donors who make this Prison Initiative possible have the heart to believe in the redemptive value of society's outcasts and the courage to act out their faith in such a tangible way. I know this opportunity will have a positive impact in my life.
This program is designed to train prisoners to be effective positive leaders in their communities both in prison and upon release. This is a worthy goal that can be supported by prison officials and community leaders alike.
I am excited to begin classes in September. The challenge of the classroom and book work is something I relish. In the meantime, I am building relationships and becoming a part of the culture that has already begun to be established by the first year students.
When this year's students arrived at MTU from the previous prisons where they had been housed, the inaugural class greeted us warmly with open arms. While we waited for our property to be processed and returned to us, some of the first year students handed us deodorants, toothbrushes, and toothpaste so we could clean up from our gruelingly long and exhausting transfer.
This was my first peek into the subculture of the Calvin College students within the broader and more selfish culture of prison. While is is still too early to tell, I am hopeful that this attitude of brotherhood, generosity of spirit, and cooperation runs deep and remains strong. I am sure that conflicts and differences will arise, but if we are being trained to be effective, positive leaders these should be nothing more than opportunities to practice the skills and knowledge we acquire.
I am grateful that the staff at Calvin College and the generous donors who make this Prison Initiative possible have the heart to believe in the redemptive value of society's outcasts and the courage to act out their faith in such a tangible way. I know this opportunity will have a positive impact in my life.
Friday, July 1, 2016
3 Important Steps to Accountability in Restorative Justice
One of the core tenets of restorative justice is the idea of accountability. Accountability is important for those who have committed crimes, but it is also an important element in maintaining healthy relationships, in and out of prison.
The idea of accountability sounds good, especially to those who have been harmed by another, but it would be helpful to have a working definition of what accountability looks like. I have identified the following three elements to accountability that you may find helpful in healing your own relationships:
1. We must own our behavior
Participants in Alcoholics Anonymous meetings introduce themselves by ending with "and I'm an alcoholic." Holding oneself accountable begins by acknowledging responsibility for our behavior. This does not necessarily mean labeling ourselves as "criminal" or "bad", or even alcoholic. But it does mean identifying the harms we have caused and owning responsibility for those harms. It means admitting things like, "I caused the victim to be terrified", "I was responsible (directly or indirectly) for that person's death", or even "my attitude caused a rift in our relationship."
This owning must not be accompanied by excuses though. Excuses minimize responsibility and prevent the healing process from taking place. Excuses like "I was drunk", "I was raised in an abusive home", "nobody would give me a job", or "I wasn't the only one at fault" all try to shift responsibility from the offender to someone or something else.
Owning our behavior must come with no qualifiers; we accept our responsibility for the harm we caused with no "ifs" or "buts" attached.
2. We must own the consequences of our behavior
Nobody wants to experience negative consequences to their behavior. We may no say that we want to get off scot free, but we often believe our offenses should either be completely forgiven or overlooked. But life rarely works that way. Even natural laws define consequences. For example, the law of gravity says that what goes up must come down. It is illogical to believe that bad behavior will not be followed by negative consequences.
We experience bad consequences, but our victims also experience bad consequences from our behavior and we must own our cause in these consequences. Sometimes consequences cannot be changed and we must acknowledge that: "I will never get back the time lost with my children", "I can never bring back the person I killed", or "I can never take back those hurtful words." Some consequences can be lessened by our attempts at healing the harms we have done, but whether or not this is the case, we are still responsible for the consequences that first existed and for what remains.
3. We must own our obligations
When we harm someone we create obligations to that person and possibly to others as a result of our behavior. The most basic obligation we create is to apologize for the harms we have caused. Our obligations may also include restitution of what was taken, damaged, or destroyed; a commitment to identify and change our faulty thinking patterns; working to prevent similar future harms by ourselves or others; and restoring security, power, and dignity to the person we harmed.
Other obligations also exist that may include seeking professional help for our compulsions, or paying for counseling for our victims.
Being accountable for one's behavior is an important part of healing for both the victim and offender. Offenders who truly desire to change and to participate in the healing for those they have harmed must start by being accountable for their actions. When this happens restorative justice has begun.
The idea of accountability sounds good, especially to those who have been harmed by another, but it would be helpful to have a working definition of what accountability looks like. I have identified the following three elements to accountability that you may find helpful in healing your own relationships:
1. We must own our behavior
Participants in Alcoholics Anonymous meetings introduce themselves by ending with "and I'm an alcoholic." Holding oneself accountable begins by acknowledging responsibility for our behavior. This does not necessarily mean labeling ourselves as "criminal" or "bad", or even alcoholic. But it does mean identifying the harms we have caused and owning responsibility for those harms. It means admitting things like, "I caused the victim to be terrified", "I was responsible (directly or indirectly) for that person's death", or even "my attitude caused a rift in our relationship."
This owning must not be accompanied by excuses though. Excuses minimize responsibility and prevent the healing process from taking place. Excuses like "I was drunk", "I was raised in an abusive home", "nobody would give me a job", or "I wasn't the only one at fault" all try to shift responsibility from the offender to someone or something else.
Owning our behavior must come with no qualifiers; we accept our responsibility for the harm we caused with no "ifs" or "buts" attached.
2. We must own the consequences of our behavior
Nobody wants to experience negative consequences to their behavior. We may no say that we want to get off scot free, but we often believe our offenses should either be completely forgiven or overlooked. But life rarely works that way. Even natural laws define consequences. For example, the law of gravity says that what goes up must come down. It is illogical to believe that bad behavior will not be followed by negative consequences.
We experience bad consequences, but our victims also experience bad consequences from our behavior and we must own our cause in these consequences. Sometimes consequences cannot be changed and we must acknowledge that: "I will never get back the time lost with my children", "I can never bring back the person I killed", or "I can never take back those hurtful words." Some consequences can be lessened by our attempts at healing the harms we have done, but whether or not this is the case, we are still responsible for the consequences that first existed and for what remains.
3. We must own our obligations
When we harm someone we create obligations to that person and possibly to others as a result of our behavior. The most basic obligation we create is to apologize for the harms we have caused. Our obligations may also include restitution of what was taken, damaged, or destroyed; a commitment to identify and change our faulty thinking patterns; working to prevent similar future harms by ourselves or others; and restoring security, power, and dignity to the person we harmed.
Other obligations also exist that may include seeking professional help for our compulsions, or paying for counseling for our victims.
Being accountable for one's behavior is an important part of healing for both the victim and offender. Offenders who truly desire to change and to participate in the healing for those they have harmed must start by being accountable for their actions. When this happens restorative justice has begun.
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