Corrections_Today_Spring_2025_Vol.87_No.1

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and respect. The point being made is that you are born with dignity but you must earn respect. He goes on to offer 10 elements to honor dignity. This is in his final statement to the group, “Everyone Belongs”. Chapter 15 One of the more impactful components are the Outside Brothers, who we meet in Chapter 15. The Outside Brothers is a volunteer group of men who come to the prison every Tuesday and meet with the Kronos inmates after dinner in the visiting room. Basically they just meet and talk about whatever topic comes up like something sports related or something having to do with current events etc. It provides the inmates an opportunity to connect with the outside world, especially those who may not have regular family contact. Chapter 18 In Chapter 18 titled “Ego vs Soul” in which Jake goes one on one with Jax who, in Jake’s opinion, appears to be at a crossroads. He puts it to Jax point blank. Do you want out of the program? I can have you back in GP (general population) in a day. Jax is thoughtful but decides to stick it out after his talk with Jake and after some advice to talk to Carter, an early skeptic who is now starting to “get it”. Chapter 19 Chapter 19 titled “True North” begins with unease. Warden Charlie has retired and been replaced by

Frank Klein, a 25 year veteran of the Department. Jake is unsure if Kronos will enjoy the unfettered support it had under Warden Charlie. Jake’s fears are unfounded as Warden Klein toured the prison and declared 2-dorm the cleanest unit in the entire prison. Jake tells the assembled families there are over 100 billion stars in our universe, all moving through the universe at tremendous speeds. Only one star is fixed and not moving, the North star. This, in Jake’s opinion, is proof of a higher power. As the Kronos inmates approach the holidays, they enjoy what’s called Half Time. It’s a two week period with no coursework and no planned activities. Leisure time to read, write letters and let your brain rest. A huge paper Christmas tree made of green and brown construction paper adorns the east wall of 2-dorm. Each family was provided with ten 5" red circles to serve as ornaments on the tree. Each circle has a written saying or message agreed upon by the family members. This activity allows for collaboration and interaction among the family members. Chapter 22 Chapter 22 titled “Trauma” is the last of the core curriculum courses. Two months in length, it examines the root of the offender’s criminality and how it can be traced back to the trauma they experienced as a child. Two families are paired in a confidential setting and begin to share their individual stories. One man’s

mother was a prostitute, another’s father beat him regularly in front of his siblings, yet another was only eight years old when his father introduced him to the drug trade in south Texas. On and on it went and they soon came to the realization of the connection between that childhood trauma and their own criminal behavior. Chapter 25 Chapter 25 is “Graduation.” Finally, our program comes to a close. Graduates are ready, families are invited and a guest speaker is announced. Warden Klein welcomes all and the program is underway. After the certificates are issued and the speaker finishes his remarks, a lunch is served in the courtyard. It is a day of pride and accomplishment by the participants, Encouragers and staff. Conclusion In conclusion, in the Kronos Project, the authors focus on changing not only prison culture but changing people from within. They utilize a committed program director, hand picked peer counselors, talented outside experts, committed volunteers and most importantly, total commitment and backing from the prison administration. This program or something similar is very likely present in many prisons across the country today. Program names may change but with the above elements in place, rehabilitation is not only possible but likely. CT

Spring 2025 | Corrections Today

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