I keep thinking about and blabbing about how after I land a for real teaching job, I want to work summers at a prison or juvenile detention center. Well, I'm bored and completely hyped up on sinus medication, so what better time to do a little research? So the St. Louis courts place kids in Griscom School at the St. Louis juvenile detention center for anywhere between 3 and 90 days. The school is staffed by St. Louis City school teachers (a.k.a. me), and they provide these kids (middle school and high school aged kids) with an education while they are locked up. I want to see this place in person. The website described the living conditions for these kids. They live, sleep, and eat in cells. This surprised me a little just because the documentary I saw that inspired me to do this, "Rikers High", had the kids sleeping in big dorm-type rooms. Anyway, I found this article written by a teacher there, primarily about her creative writing class. She included actual student examples with her article, and...wow. I mean, everyone has pretty much written these kids off...their parents, their teachers, their friends. Yes, they committed crimes. (The website stated that inmates are incarcerated for a variety of offenses, ranging from truancy to rape and murder.) Most of these kids aren't even old enough to drive a car, but their lives are, in many ways, over before they've even started. Kids like these have been given absolutely no chance; their parents didn't give a fuck, the school system let them slip through the cracks, and now they're behind bars, pretty much annihilating any chance for a life of success, or even normalcy. They are doomed. It's no wonder they've ended up the way they have. The kids' narratives and poetry were absolutely incredible. They spoke with such honesty, such passion, such heart. They are in such desperate need for one, just ONE person to believe in them and in the fact that they can be more than just some worthless, hopeless, gang-banging criminal. They are kids. Kids who just happened to be born into a world that would rather throw them away than help them become more than what they believe they can be.
The teacher who wrote the article said something that really touched me. She said, "This measly little writing class, in this one juvenile detention center, in this one city isn't going to change the world. But if I can help just one child find their own voice, believe in it, and use it to communicate, then maybe they can do the same for someone else. And THAT could change the world."
I feel so freaking inspired right now!!!
About Me
- Eternal Sunshine of Katie's Mind
- St. Louis, MO
- I am an open book. I am honest, sincere, and I hold back nothing. These characteristics are likely evident in my blogs; I pour my little heart out as often as I can. I love writing, and I thoroughly enjoy spewing out my thoughts and emotions whenever the mood strikes me. I love the fine arts passionately: music, art, and literature, but I'm also a laidback girl who loves watching football and drinking beer. I consider myself to be a fairly well-rounded individual. God is, and will always be number one in my life. I appreciate the simple things life has to offer, and I relish in the fact that I am a compassionate, kind-hearted human being. We are a dying breed...
1 comment:
I came across your blog by accident but was intrigued. I work for St. Louis City Family Courts/Juvenile Division. I work at
the Juvenile Courts on Vandeventer & Enright. Some of the information in your blog is incorrect. The juveniles are not kept in cells 24/7 and they eat in a cafeteria.
There are game rooms/recreation rooms/tv rooms/gym/cafeteria/etc.
They have classes here. Juveniles are separated into different groups determined by the severity of their crimes.
If you are truly interested in seeing this place, I could bring you in for a tour.
Yes, there are some "thrown away" kids here but there are also many kids here that are here because of bad choices they themselves made
(ie. murder, rape, robbery etc.). There are many with family that visit them on a regular basis and who do all they can to help them. There are also many who, as you stated, are here because of the lives that they have been brought into in this world, unloving parents, violence, drugs, etc. But in the end, we all have choices to make and when you decide to take someones life, you need to pay the price for your crime. There was one juvenile that hung himself in his cell here 2-3 years ago. They have in-house psychologists/psychiatrists here everyday (3 or more) to deal with any issues the kids may have. They have mentors from the outside come in to speak with the kids. This is not a place that most kids would want to be but on the other hand what would you do with kids who commit crimes such as murder, rape, robbery, or worse????
We also deal with child abuse/neglect here. That is a whole other story. I have seen horrendous cases of abuse since becoming employed here as I work in that section. I sometimes see/read things and sit at my desk and cry at the sufferings these children go through. And sometimes wish I could get my hands on the parents who did this or allowed another person to do this to their own flesh and blood. I have also become a mentor to kids through here.
Also I do not believe that the schooling in the detention center is staffed by st. louis city school employees, it is my understanding that there is one teacher only. This may be a career change that you may think on making one day. If you are concerned for these juveniles it could be a possibility that after seeing this place and learning more about it you may want to consider trying to work here? This is how I ended up working here. My son was brought here years ago as he was being truant (yes we do truancies also) and stole my car and was committing other minor crimes. They did not lock him up or keep him but after having to come here to pick him up several times and talking to the workers, I was very intrigued with the job itself and thought maybe I could do something to help the kids, which is why most of us are here.
It is a BIG job and no one really has all the answers. I applied several times over the next several years until I finally was hired. Best job I've ever had! I love coming to work every day, even though it can be very stressful at times.
Would really love to hear back from you. Thanks!
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