Sharing is Caring, Even in Prison

The Michigan Department of Corrections has a policy against its prisoners borrowing and lending. The purpose of this policy is to prevent people from going into debt to other prisoners. When a borrower fails to pay his debt, violence may result. It's a reasonable policy, although it is only selectively enforced because most borrowing and lending in prison is harmless. 

One of the most common occasions of borrowing in prison is through prison stores. Also against policy, but rarely enforced, some prisoners run what a friend of mine calls "sucker stores." If a prisoner wants to borrow a bag of chips because he's hungry one night, he can go to the store man and get a bag. Of course, come the following store day (when commissary orders are passed out), he must pay that bag of chips back with interest. Most store men in prison charge a 50% tax on borrowed items, or double if it takes two store periods to pay back the debt. It's a foolish waste of money for the borrower--hence the term "sucker store." 

Unfortunately, a lot of men in prison have very little economic sense and use the store man on a regular basis. The ones who routinely run up large store debts usually have regular money coming in from family and friends and don't manage what they have well. Others are simply moving debt around by borrowing until they have money come in to clear their debts. It can be a vicious cycle for some people. 

A lot of guys borrow soap, deodorant, and other necessities when they first arrive in prison simply because they need these items until they are able to order their own. That single act of borrowing necessities can set some people back months as they try to dig their way out of debt. Recognizing this dilemma and that many of these prisoners have very little financial support outside of prison, the Protestant Christian community in many prisons establish "love boxes" in each unit. Some prisoners who have steady incomes through outside sources or their prison jobs want to give back in some way. The love box makes it possible for them to "tithe" to their own communities. 

Of course, love boxes are ripe for abuse for people who claim a need and then use what they get at the gambling table or for some other unintended use. But, most love boxes are well managed by prisoners who have a sense of when someone is really in need. Love boxes avoid violating policies against loaning and borrowing by simply gifting items to those who need them. In turn, many of those who benefit from the love box end up giving back when they can to pay it forward to the next guy in need. However, returning gifted items is never required. 

Other religious groups in prison also often help those in need within their communities, so it's not exclusive to the Christian community. It's heartwarming, though, to see the love box in action. MTU, the prison where I am housed, has a particularly large population of especially vulnerable prisoners. These prisoners have mental health or physical issues, and many are unable to work prison jobs. Many also have no outside support. When our community is able to meet a need by sharing from our own resources, it really feels good. 

Even within a prison community, people with good hearts look out for each other. It's a small way of giving back and making amends for the wrongs we've done.