The Good and The Bad of Mentoring Young Inmates

Greetings everyone! I wanted to share that I have changed prisons again. Good and bad. Good because I am once again in a cell which I thought I hated. Bad because it was a step backward rather than forward. I am now at Lorain Correctional. It’s an intake prison. Most of the residents come here to await a bed at their parent prison, so they are only here for 30 to 90 days. I signed up to be a mentor in the mentor program so I am here to be a mentor. My new address is:

Lorain Correctional Institution 

2075 South Avon-Belden Road 

Grafton, Ohio 44044 

I know I need to be good even in my frustrations, but it is so hard. Even Death Row didn't suck the energy out of me like this place does. For the most part I am fine. I chose to mentor younger prisoners rather than come here and find it easy, The only real benefit for me is to my spirit--maybe getting to change or redirect one of these guys to a better path. And it is working well—somewhat. Some of these guys are so stuck in their need to be hard f—and all for show. They don't see any other way to be. But they are starting to listen now that they have got to hear my whole story. They are in awe  that I’ve been in prison 33 years more because of my demeanor than anything else. To them I should be the most angry man in the world, 

But they don’t see it. What they see in me makes them confused—and because they are confused that they don’t see what they think they should see, they open the door for me to tell them there is another way. 

Most listen but how far they go with the slow of life will be another story. And then the time I get to spend with them—the time we get to spend together is short. The prisoners I mentor come and go everyday. The are out in 60 to 90 days.  

So my class with them now is Money Matters. Its purpose is to show them how to fill out checks and such--a basic survival guide to money management. I teach them the difference between a saving account and a checking account and how to save. Do they care about that? No. 

I’m  dealing with kids who deal drugs, and murder other kids. So I try to put a twist on how they failed with all this so-called money they made dealing drugs, the things it lead to that brought them here. I’m working with guys who claim to have made $50 grand—yet they are around here begging for 22 cent soups so they don’t go hungry. But I hold their attention. And the word is out and now everybody wants to be in Mr. Tyler's class. 

Once they hear my story, they actually listen to me. I tell them how to save money, and I talk about the importance of doing something with their money such as getting a job rather than joining the ranks of other failed drug dealers, It makes sense to them. But what they will do with it, I don’t know. 

I get the feeling that we mentors aren't wanted here. The mentoring program was set up to make money for the prison. It was/is a good idea, but it’s not going as well as it could. I really wouldn't put it past them to shut it down. 

On the other hand, it’s a little hard here, But I didn't come here for me, I came here to give what I can—and this is the place that could give me that chance. This could be their last step on this journey. I would be happy to save one. But I am learning my depths here. I needed this place—as bad as it is—because now I see how bad it is: Our kids are becoming a steady stream into this prison system. 

I see now what my focus will be once I am home. And speaking on the subject of my coming home, I don't yet know when the lawyers will file for me to go before the parole board again. Probably they’ll file after it’s known if Trump will choose our governor as his running mate—so somewhere around the end of July, hopefully. They don't want to rush it, and neither do I. If I can see Christmas at home I will be happy with that...It’s time for this to end. 

So all in all I am fine, my record  is still clean. It’s just a little harder here but I can make the adjustment. And that's what the parole board wants. So I will be fine...Til next time I bid you goodbye...Peace... Arthur 

Feeling Low...

Hi everyone! I know I’ve been missing in action for awhile. My spirit is a little low right now. I've changed prisons. I made Level Two, which is a drop from where I was—at Level Three. Yes, I should be grateful because this new place is full of good things to do: there are all sorts of programs to get me ready for reentry—out of prison and into society. The staff doesn't seem bad either after being here three weeks . They seem really helpful in wanting to help us prisoners make the adjustment to the outside.

However, most of the Reentry Programs offered, I can't get into because on my record I am down for “life without parole.” We have to have an “out date” to get into the programs that would really help.

I don't really have much more good to say about this place. I was reminded that if you can't say something nice don't say anything. On another positive note this place has vending machines we can use daily. But they are money greedy here. Where I was, they offered one food sale a month while here they have six different food sales going on. They have a thousand groups here all grinding for your money. Aramark sells a $6.50 double cheese burgers, tater tots and the like. The State contracts with the same company for our meals—which are really lousy unlike the double cheeseburgers we have to pay for. Funny! Their food is horrible but their sales food is decent—what’s that about? The Vets have sales as do the Red Cross, Kind Way, NAACP. So you get my point, From pizza to KFC, from jewelry to clothes and such—it is busy. Between the Vending machines and the sales I can often bypass the crappy food.

As you know some of my friends refer to me as a clean freak, I own up to that. In moving to Level Two at a new prison, I went from a cell setting to a dormitory. This is a BIG change—a BIG difference. One hundred and four guys all live in one room, There is no privacy whatsoever. This is the most degrading situation I have ever been in in my 33 years in the prison system. I actually wrote a different blog to share with you, but the details were pretty graphic so I was encouraged to give more of an overview than a full blown description. Think of the worst situation you could ever find yourself in and times it by 100. The bathroom setting is the worst.

No thought you can bring to mind would even begin to help you imagine this grossness. I have been here three weeks and I still don't feel clean. The guy in the bed right across from me just did his second treatment for scabies. We live packed like sardines with about as much space. My—and everyone else too—is on one side of the bunk bed only. The other side of the bunk bed belongs to the bed on the other side. If you step into that space that belongs to the guy in the other bed, you get a “ticket.” That is the one thing I fear—they write you up for everything—no matter how petty including if my badge is on backwards, if I am late for a pass. I am really wondering if I can keep my record here spotless.

I won't be here much longer. The day after I got here I put in for a transfer to a different Level Two prison. The lady laughed and said “Mr. Tyler, I know of no one else ever who put in for a transfer quicker than you.” I didn't wait 24 hours--II knew I didn't want to be here.
The good news is I was accepted for the transfer and all the paperwork is done. I should be leaving any day now. Don't know if this place I think for Lorain, Ohio. I don’t know if it is any better, but at least it will get me closer to Cleveland where my family and friends can visit more easily. And anything has to be better than this.

The other part of the good news/bad news is that I just found out we won't be going to the parole/clemency in April as we hoped. The governor is running for president and it seems our guy feels he can win. And we don’t want a repeat of what happened last time when I got in the way of his political agenda. So the new idea is to wait and see if he drops out of the presidential race between now and the last primary in August.

So that's where the spirit is and has been—I’m a little down. Rather than five weeks before we file it’s more likely going to be four more months.

Other than that, I’m fine after all, I am blessed to be able to sit and chat. Two years ago I was facing execution? What's four more months? As I said, I will be leaving soon from this place. The change will be huge no matter what that place is like. I will not survive this if I stay here...So I will just sit still and hope for the best. 

Much love to all of you...Hugs...Arthur.

Moving Down and Out!

I don't seem to have any concept of time right now. I have been stuck on five months for the last five months, and it’s still five months—five months until my next parole hearing. But I am well and I know with the New Year is about to come and time will eventually dip under five months (Smile). 

I finally finished the first part of the paralegal course. For the most part I passed with a 90% or better on seven parts of the test. I got 100% percent on both Office Memo’s and passed all the tests required. But on two of the reflection assignments I got a 69% and a 64%, and another one went astray. They allowed me to resubmit those three parts of the test which I have done. Now I’m waiting for my final grade; I know I will pass. I should get my grade in a week or so, but that is just the first part of the test to become a paralegal. I can do part two of the course here—that is the part that concludes with the certificate that certifies me as paralegal. Or I can wait until I get home and get the certificate doing on-the-job training with the lawyers who are trying to get me home. So I may wait and start the second half of the course after I move from this place.

That’s the big thing; The Move. From a Level 3 prison to a Level 2. I had my early review and the unit manager signed off on it other day. So I should be eligible to drop to Level 2 once the central office in Columbus agrees. Going to Level 2 from where I am currently (Level 3) lowers my status, which is a good thing.

I've been getting mixed messages about Level 2. I guess it’s a lot faster there. There is a lot more freedom of movement and it’s easier to get caught up in prison life, but I have no intentions of getting caught up. I will stay my course for what we are trying to make happen with my freedom: I hope to be free in May.

The programs in Level 2 are much better and I may get in some courses I couldn't get here in Level 3. Here, they don't allow those sentenced to life-without parole to take any of the re-entry programs. You remember that Gov. Kasich sentenced me Life Without Parole after taking away the death sentence.

But I hope you also remember that Life without Parole was not the sentence the parole board recommended at my last clemency hearing. All 11 of the board members—appointed by the governor—voted to allow me to parole at some point. Six members voted for immediate parole eligibility; five members recommended two years for adjustment from death row to prison to home.

Those two years is going to be up in May 2016,and we are really hoping the governor has a change of heart and allows me to go home...Finally. I have been here 33 years now for a crime I did not commit. I have made what the parole board will see as “my adjustment”: I have moved from Level 5—death row—to Level 3 and now to Level 2 in less than the two years. I am up for clemency again in early May. If you'd like to help with letters to the governor, the parole board, and any politician you may feel can help, it may just bring this nightmare to an end.

Just making your voice of concern loud would be greatly appreciated, Any support you can lend will be welcome. I believe my attorneys will be putting everything in place come December. They don't want to do this too soon or too late, so watch this space and look for the GO. Then write your letters.Thank you all!

Sincerely,

Arthur

Weekly Cooking Class Fills My Heart, Mind, and Belly!

It isn’t all peaches and cream here, so to speak, so even though I’m going to talk a little about my culinary arts cooking class, I don’t want anyone to get the idea that it is “peaches and cream” in prison. It doesn’t mean this is easy. It is so hard, so, so hard.


But I have to say that the smell of homemade cookie dough or a 7-Up pound cake is delicious. We made something the other day to go with the spaghetti and Italian sausage-- Italian Christmas cookies. They were nice.


Right now the class is learning about salads and salad dressings, but since this is prison and since our teacher doesn’t really have all the pretty colors of the salad bar for us to work with, we may bake once a week. So the sweet smell of cookies, the colors of fruits and veggies don't often fill this blog.

This is prison, a big room where 124 guys mill together daily. No pretty colors here, no sweet smells. Even the dining hall has horrible smells. I try to avoid the place where we eat. My “place”—where I lose the stink of prison and prison life—is outside on the recreation yard in a little space down wind where I can sit or walk and taste the clean of the breeze, watch the colors of the sky, look at the green of the trees before they turn. And every once in awhile I see a yellow butterfly—or a black one. These are just little moments to enjoy because the reality is, this is prison: the colors are dull, the smells are stale, and it has a taste you really wouldn't want in your mouth.

So I enjoy the sweet smell of cookies and cake when we have them. I enjoy tasting the little pieces of dough I get to pinch once a week. It keeps me going until I get my chance to be out in the world again where everything looks colorful, most things smell good, and you can taste what you want to taste...Now that to me is delicious...Soon...

Hugs,
Arthur

There is a Place...Poem by Arthur

There is a place

inside you'll find

that always brings

you peace of mind.

And if we know

when to go there

sweet peace embraces

everywhere.

Keep your peace and your spirit strong!

Arthur

Laugh Out Loud Moment

I have to tell you that some things have happened here that have made me laugh out loud.

I’ve been here so long that when I first got here we weren't allowed TVs. The Warden at my first prison made a statement to the press that we were here to be fed, clothed, and killed. As long as he was alive we would never get TVs or anything else for us. Sadly he passed away the following year. The new warden allowed us to get televisions from home. My very first TV was a black and white 13 inch old channel clicker. My first music box was an 8-Track Tape Player...Remember those?

But what was so funny was my first interaction with a microwave in 2003. At the time, I was on death row but the prison had created an honor pod on death row where you got little extras for not getting in trouble. One of the extras was a microwave. I spent three years without any trouble just to get over to the honor pod and to that microwave. I love blueberry donuts, and it had been years since I’d had a blueberry donut warmed up. One of the first things I wanted was a warm blueberry donut, so I got my donut, put it in the microwave and waited, and waited—and waited.

Finally one of the guys walked up and asked me “Why are you standing at the microwave so long?”

“I’m waiting for my donut to warm,” I told him.

“Mr.Tyler,” he said, gently, “you have to turn the microwave on first.”

I laugh now every time I tell that story. I had been in prison so long I didn't know how to use a microwave.

I didn't get to eat that donut because I turned the microwave on for six minutes! At four minutes I watched my donut burn and dissolve. I melted it. I laugh out loud every time I think about that story!

I love the Yard

I work recreation, which is one of the better jobs here. Everyday it puts me outside, gives me access to everyone on a daily basis. What does it mean to work recreation? It means a few things.First it gives me access to all the recreation,three two hour periods per day, regardless of which pods are at rec, so I can basically spend all day, morning and afternoon in rec, with access to everybody here except 3B inmates. I’m a 3A inmate. To be a 3A inmate you have to keep it clean, and everybody has different jobs.

I started out sweeping and mopping the inside gym. I moved up to taking care of windows walls and drinking fountains in the office area. Now I got raised up again to program aide where I get to run tournaments for all the other inmates. But I’m on the bottom rung of this position, as most of the big things like baseball,basketball,football are already covered. So I get to run things like horseshoes and bocci ball. These games are for prizes so most every guy will play. Guys are leaving here daily so I will eventually find my way into the bigger stuff, but right now I'm good with how it is. It takes me 20 minutes twice a week to do the windows and walls and the rest of my time is free to just be at recreation doing whatever I please.

The rec yard is huge. Picture a football field, two full court basketball courts, two baseball fields, a volleyball court, with extended areas for just sitting out in the grass out of the way. The track is on the outer realm of the rec yard . They say that 760 steps, five times around is 2 miles. Good or bad day you can just walk and walk. In the summer, we have at least 3 pods out—with 124 guys in a pod. Even with all of us out there, we each still have room to move in our own space. 

I love the yard—which is why I made sure I got a rec job. I wasn't here a month and I got the job over guys who had been waiting years to get the job. That I came from death row helped and that I was older helped.They want older guys who have some sense, to deal with the others. I basically just stay in my lane and I'm fine. I get along with everybody; staff and inmates, just by being respectful. Most address me as Mr.Tyler, and I’ll keep it like that for the rest of my time here. 

Next April 2016 I will go back in front of the parole board with the hope that it is my last year in prison:clean of tickets, clean of any trouble.The first year went really well and all I need to do is stay on this path. Hopefully they will let me come home.

It's beautiful weather here right now. I’m on my way out to rec!