Strengthen Your Foundation

September 27th, 2019 was an interesting day. Central Michigan University Professfor Ed Hinck was here at Saginaw Correctional Facility located in Freeland Michigan. The lessons for the day were: First Negative/Opposition Speech, Arguing a disadvantage, and Cross-Examination. There was a mock cross-examination by Professor Ed Hinck and Mr. Jones. Being able to see this exchange I was able to highlight some of the negative things that can cause a debater to be seen in an unfavorable light. The sections of this lesson that stood out to me were, "Do's and Don't for the Examiner, "Do's and Don't for the Examinee", and "Common Pitfalls". These sections gives insight on how to remain professional and ethical when engaging in a debate or when having to take an adverse position.

For the last few years we've witnessed a terrible display of debate ethics in the media. Debate should never be filled with sarcasms, degrading words, belittling, or disrespect. What I learned is that we should strive to make point using tact while being assertive. To exercise this kind of diplomacy an individual must keep their emotions in check even when facing an opponent that's doing everything they can to pull you off your square.

I was able to use some of the things that I've learned during a mediation conference with Mediator Dozeman, Assistant Attorney General Allen Soros, and Khristian Vanhaften. The purpose of the mediation conference was to resolve and settle a civil suit. I was able to use skills learns in this workshop to keep track of the contentions of the opposing side and maintaining a stance that was assertive but cooperative. Which resulted in me settling the case.

The things that have been imparted to me thus far at the debate workshop has given me a new perspective when negotiating and taking an adverse position. Most importantly I learned to keep an open mind . I can honestly say I was a better negotiator and adversary. I was able to share this experience with the workshop today. This is an example of how this workshop can have a positive impact and be used in our everyday life. To be continued...

"The Introduction Matters"

On September 25th, 2019 at Saginaw Correctional Facility located in Freeland Michigan Lt. Wendt and Ms. Raquepaw brought in Professor Flemming Rhode and a group of students from Central Michigan University (CMU). Today the energy of the class was amazing. After reflecting on the first workshop experience where we were introduced to the students, I realized the energy was a little tense. I had to acknowledge that coming into a prison to visit for any reason can be overwhelming. I've heard this sentiment from a lot of different people.

Today the students came into to the room with an energy that I've seen before on the television show Scared Straight. I felt the need to remind them that this was not a Scared Straight episode.This actually lightened up the energy in the room and resulted in an open question and answer exchange between the men here and the students once we were given the floor by Captain Wirley.

A few of the students had some interesting questions. One student asked about the work assignments that we have in prison. Men shared their work experiences: food service workers, dog trainers, janitors/porters, tutors, and clerks. Hearing that some men only make cents an hour surprised some of the students. However, the men being able to acknowledge that they were able to see the good in the "work experience" was significant. If a person will work a hundred and sixty hours or more a month for less than a hundred dollars this work ethic can be taken to the community and turned into a success story.

One of the men here was sharing with the students all the jobs that he works in the institutions. They were under the impression that he was being paid for them only to realize that he volunteered for all the jobs except his job as a dog trainer. Hearing this man share his story with the students about being sentenced to two life sentences, but yet continuing to strive and prepare himself to return to society is powerful. Some might ask what's the need for preparing for the community if he was sentenced to life. Well, the answer to that is simple. Laws change everyday and men are being vindicated often.

I can use myself as an example. I always knew I would get out of prison. But I never knew that I would be given the chance to get resentenced. Then the law changed... The work that I did to improve myself prepared me for this opportunity and my future. So to be one of the men in this workshop to sit in front of these students and show that there are some men imprisoned like myself and others who have prepared ourselves to return to the community and the students being able to see that we all don't fit the stereotype that's shown on television gives a different perspective for society to hear.

It's my opinion that the youth and college students are paramount for any kind of change to happen when dealing with social issues including prison reform. I say this because they are the visionaries and individuals that have the energy and intellect needed to make changes.

After hearing the students express how some of the stories touched them while knowing that the men in the room were genuinely being who I see them being everyday made me smile inside. Surprisingly one of the men here approached me after this workshop and expressed to me that he was impressed by how I interact with people. I shared with him it's important that we always interact with people with the mind of a person that's free.

Meeting these students was a great experience for the men here and the appreciation was shared with them. What I didn't realize was that I would have to do so much reading. Smile. To be continued...

Preparing The Mind Field For Debate

September 20, 2019 during our Central Michigan University (CMU) debate workshop we were given a debate syllabus by Professor Ed Hinck. Being given the concept of a "flow Sheet" may be basic for some but to the men here at Saginaw Correctional Facility (SRF) we thought it was thought-provoking. Being given a format on how to structure a debate/argument was enlightening. Of course many of us compared the debate structure to the format of a criminal trial since that is something that we were familiar with. This thought process made it easier for us to wrap our minds around the "flow sheet" concept. Then we were taught about "sign posting", which explained what contentions are when debating. To identify the contentions one must be actively listening.

Being able to process information and respond requires a substantial amount of cognitive awareness. It demands an individuals complete focus. It was described by the professor as mental combat. This sparring of the minds is giving us the training in the area of processing information, organizing our thoughts, and responding to something verbally instead of physically while maintaining self-control. In my opinion, the training from this workshop can be used as a tool to balance out impulsiveness that has controlled so many men.

As I reflect on conflicts on a domestic level and in the community they often begin as an argument and end in a physical confrontation. The result of two people having different views or opinions is sadly violence. This was  fueled by insults during a debate or argument or by offense that was taken based on how an adverse position was expressed. One example that was used by a staff member was the issue of domestic violence. These debate skills can be effective when helping relationships because the format that we are being taught requires a person to be quiet and listen before expressing our position. In addition, it teaches us to express our position without being sarcastic, belittling, or offensive.

It's my hopes that all the men here at SRF will take the lessons from this debate course and realize that disagreements will happen in life and sometimes we may even have to agree to disagree. But most importantly that disagreement doesn't have to be hostile and everyone is entitled to their own position or perspective.

Today we were also given study material to begin doing the research for our debate. The status quo is: "The current energy policy". This topic is current all around the world with the conversations about renewable energy. Some of the men here were concerned that the students ability to do research is vast with their internet access so they would have an advantage because we don't have internet access. My position is that we must study what we have and be prepared. In the bible David only had a stone while Goliath had a sword. David showed up and threw what he had and prevailed.

On Wednesdays September 25th, 2019 we will be introduced to another group of students from Central Michigan University (CMU). I'm looking forward to this! To be continued.

Social Interactions Contributing To Prison Reform

Today on September 18, 2019 students from Central Michigan University came into the Saginaw Correctional Facility located in Freeland, Michigan. These students were brought in by Ms. Raquepaw and Professor Ed Hinck to be apart of the debate workshop. A lot goes into the planning of these workshops on both ends. Prison staff must do lien clearances and searches and the students must experience these necessary security measures.

Today the CMU students were given a tour of the facility and collectively we were given a brief overview of the debate workshop and the intended schedule. Then the men were given the chance to introduce themselves to the students. This brief interaction was an opportunity for the men inside to take a deep breath and feel human for a few minutes. The truth is that a small social interaction such as this can contribute greatly to preparing someone inside to return to the community.I say this because a lot of men in prison have visits and interactions with people from society, but then there are also many  men who don't have these regular interactions with people from the community. For both groups of men, being in this prosocial environment can give the courage and confidence needed to later pursue opportunities like employment, education, and community outreach when released from prison; settings that otherwise they might find intimidating.

I am now looking forward to the debate experience and seeing all of the other men and students hone their oration and critical thinking skills. Skills that are important to be happy and successful. These skills that we will be learning and practicing can be helpful when working through conflict in the home, community, and office. A great deal of issues are rooted in individuals having the inability to communicate and think effectively and being impulsive.

This debate workshop will give us the chance to learn how to focus, mentally process our thoughts, listen, and then respond, which are all qualities needed to be productive citizens. If anyone has had an awkward social encounter with someone just returning home from prison please share the story with me in the comment section so I can encourage men to work on these issues. 

To be continued...Robert

Why Juvenile Lifers in Michigan are Still Waiting on Resentencing

Dear Reader,

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. Myself, along with 199 other juvenile lifers in Michigan have been waiting nearly 3 1/2 years to have our day back in court after the Supreme Court ruled that juvenile lifers have the right to be resentenced and to come home. 

Please click the link below to find out the reasons behind the stagnancy. 

https://www.freep.com/in-depth/news/local/michigan/2019/08/15/juvenile-lifers-michigan/1370127001/

Thank you for your support,
Robert

Help From Above

By Kenneth Anderson

On April 16, 2019 Ms. Valerie Newman director of the conviction integerity unit (CIU) for Wayne County, visited the men here at Lakeland Correctional Facility in Cold water Michigan. Ms. Newmen was kind enough to accept an invitation from Kenneth L. Anderson chairmen of the wardens forum committee and Mr. Robert Hinds on behalf of the men at Lakeland correctional facility, to come do a work shop on the conviction integrity unit. Ms. Newmen worked for the state appellate defenders office (SADO) for 23 years before leaving to head up Wayne counties first conviction integrity unit. While at SADO she represented thousands of men and women, fighting and winning some of the most high profile cases in Michigan. Going head to head with Kym Worthy and the prosecutors office to win the release of her clients. Earning the moniker SADO's pit bull of the office. She's argued twice in front of the united States Supreme Court, which is the highest court in the land. She's argued in both the state and federal courts. It was because of her dedication and brilliant legal mind, along with her own high integrity that she was picked by Kym Worthy to head Wayne counties CIU in the first place. Ms.Valerie Newmen informed the men exactly what her unit does and who they can help. She's headed the CIU for a year to date, in that time her unit has been able to win the release of eight men. Her unit is small consisting of herself one other full time attorney, two part time attorneys, and a detective who investigates her clients claims of innocence. Presently her unit has roughly 900 claims of innocence. At all times her unit has 25 to 30 active working cases open at a time. Once they close one they'll open a new one. She sets a high standard of honesty and integrity for the clients as well as those working under her. When her office is contacted about a claim of innocence they do their own thorough investigation and if there's a proven injustice she fights for their release. Although the decision to leave SADO was a hard one and a number of men and women lost one of the best attorney's in Michigan, the wrongfully convicted men and women gained their best hope of ever being released with Ms. Valerie Newmen heading the CIU.
Ms.Newmen answered any question asked of her by the men and gave great sound advice about how to contact her office. Unfortunately her office only handles cases out of Wayne county, however she did inform the men that the Michigan attorney generals office has recently started their own conviction integrity unit that will take everyone else's cases not in Wayne county. She informed us that she'd be willing to come back again in the future to speak to us. We the men of Lakeland correctional facility would like to thank her once again for taking time out of her day and travelling over two hours to hold this very insightful workshop. Not many in her position would have done something like this for free, yet alone for hundreds of convicted men. A special thanks goes out to warden Noah Nagy, and special acts director Dennis Birch, who helped put this event together and was a very important part of making sure everything went smoothly.

An Uncommon Connection: Inmate Gives Homeless Teens the Gift of Dignity

When was the last time that you passed a homeless person on the street and judged them for being there? Did you presume that they were their by choice, their own foolish or irresponsible decisions, or that they were simply victims of circumstance? Did you acknowledge their existence as you walked or drove by or did you pretend like they weren't even there?

Growing up on the rough streets of the eastside of Detroit, I have seen human life at it's rawest form; homelessness included. The truth is that people end up homeless for many reasons and while those socioeconomic factors must be addressed in legislation and in our communities, every individual has the opportunity to impact a homeless person's life by just acknowledging that they are there.

While I have never been homeless, I do know what it is like to be prejudged and dehumanized. I know what it is to be stripped of the smallest basic human dignities, to crave an ounce of human kindness or affection, and to feel lost in the dark. I was wrongfully convicted of a crime at the age of 17 and have been incarcerated for 15 years now. Most of my days are spent seeking justice and exoneration so that I can reclaim my life. Over the years, my desperate pursuit of freedom has made me more sensitive and compassionate to the struggles of others around me. As a young teen searching for acceptance on the streets of Detroit, I know firsthand what it feels like to be young, disillusioned, and on your own. Left to drown in your own abyss of hopelessness, the world will grow darker as you grow more cynical, jaded, and withdrawn. Unless....unless there are places and people who remember that you have value beyond your circumstances. Places like Ozone House in Ann Arbor, MI.

Ozone House is a community-based, nonprofit agency that helps young people lead safe, healthy, and productive lives through intensive intervention and prevention services. Through these support services, they help youth develop essential life skills, improve their relationships, and enhance their self-image so that they may realize their full potential for growth and happiness. There are approximately 1300 in Washtenaw County each year. Homelessness for youth means more than the absence of a safe place to sleep, enough food to eat or shelter from the cold. Homelessness means a lack of safe, healthy relationships, unimaginable exploitation, and vulnerability to looming dangers like physical assault, sexual assault, or human trafficking.

As a former troubled inner-city youth, I was recently inspired to come up with a way that I could help this cause. While I am in prison and my freedom is restricted, my kindness can travel to places I currently can not with some effort, organization, and team work. Hygiene items are an outreach tool that help provide the homeless with a sense of dignity. It may be hard to imagine that a deodorant or a tube of toothpaste could mean so much to someone, but it does. It says, "I see you and I care."  I had the pleasure of spearheading a prison fundraiser during the recent holiday season to collect hygiene items to donate to Ozone House. I am pleased to say that I was able to achieve my set goal of collecting items to create care packages for 30 homeless teens that include toothpaste, tooth brushes deodorant, soap, and lip chap.  I hope that this small gesture of kindness will inspire the teens to continue to pursue positive changes in their lives and to appreciate the people around them like the amazing staff at Ozone House who have committed themselves to supporting them on their journey. We may never physically meet, but we are connected in a community bigger than prison walls or homeless shelters. We are connected by humanity and as such we are all worthy of love and dignity.