I am at an age and stage in my life where I no longer have to work for a living. I do, however, work a part-time job at our local mall selling chocolates. I do this because I like to have a few extra coins in my pocket. I work two or three shifts per week, just enough to pay for a little extra amusement here and there.
Of course, that still leaves me a lot of free time. One of the hobbies I have picked up in my old age is writing to prison inmates. Of course, I only write to the famous or infamous or notorious or whatever you want to call them. I don’t write to just some random thug who sold drugs or shot his neighbor.
I like to ask these inmates to reflect on their lives, if they believe they understand themselves and what led them to act in the ways that led them to prison. I also ask if they have a philosophy or theology, and if they are able to find any meaningful way to spend their time behind bars.
Most of the inmates either aren’t capable or aren't inclined to engage in any meaningful correspondence. I've had some interesting conversations with a few, but most of them ignore my questions, and, instead, ask for some form of aid.
There is one inmate who is his own *category,* if you will. He will try to answer my questions in a serious fashion, but becomes frustrated with his own limited understanding, and then moves to a series of random research questions. I don’t know if he doesn’t have access to a computer, or really doesn’t know how to research on a computer, but, for example, he will ask me to look up details on the figures associated with his case, lawyers, judges, police detectives, psychiatrists, etc. He likes to know if they are still alive, what they’re doing etc. He also asks me about relatives of his victim. It seems to me he’s hoping to outlive them all, which would give him a sense of satisfaction. "I may be behind bars, but I am above ground, which is better than you."
There is one inmate who is his own *category,* if you will. He will try to answer my questions in a serious fashion, but becomes frustrated with his own limited understanding, and then moves to a series of random research questions. I don’t know if he doesn’t have access to a computer, or really doesn’t know how to research on a computer, but, for example, he will ask me to look up details on the figures associated with his case, lawyers, judges, police detectives, psychiatrists, etc. He likes to know if they are still alive, what they’re doing etc. He also asks me about relatives of his victim. It seems to me he’s hoping to outlive them all, which would give him a sense of satisfaction. "I may be behind bars, but I am above ground, which is better than you."
But the overwhelming primary interest he wants me to research is celebrity women, singers, actresses, porn stars. In his latest letter he gave me the names of four porn stars and asked me to find out in the photographic and video material that is available on the internets how much detail you could see of their anuses.
Well, for me, it's a pleasant way to pass the time. And I feel good that I’m helping somebody in prison, that I am bringing a little joy into their otherwise dreary gray life. Doing good for others is a tonic for the soul.
Well, for me, it's a pleasant way to pass the time. And I feel good that I’m helping somebody in prison, that I am bringing a little joy into their otherwise dreary gray life. Doing good for others is a tonic for the soul.
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