Teaching a ‘captive audience’
Published 12:00 am Saturday, May 4, 2002
Teaching at a prison was not something that Mary Hacker felt called to do, at least not at first, but when Kari Lenort at Riverland told her they needed an instructor to teach at the Federal Correctional Facility in Waseca she said yes without hesitation.
Expecting to make a difference as a teacher for the men in her classes, she has found the experience to be an awakening one for herself. She understands the meaning and power of forgiveness a little better, for one, and she has a completely new perspective on what convicts are capable of.
&uot;They’re not perfect, they’ve made mistakes, but I’m teaching a wonderful group of men,&uot; Hacker said. According to her, the men she is working with want to become productive, and they work hard.
&uot;They’re a captive audience, for obvious reasons, but they are willing to work at changing and are very interested in learning,&uot; she said.
Teaching at the prison has rewards that far outweigh the difficulties, although she notices many differences from the classes she teaches at Riverland. It starts right at the beginning of her once a week visit. Getting into the classroom is a complicated process:She has to prove who she is and pass through numerous checkpoints. The dress code is very strict &045; if she wears anything resembling prisoner attire, they won’t let her in. Prisoners cannot use computers of any kind, and the classroom is much more primitive.
Even though the staff at the facility are supportive and helpful, she is still glad she gets to leave after each class meeting.
&uot;I still remember the feeling I had that very first night when I could leave. I was so relieved to be free,&uot; said Hacker.
Hacker focuses on the practical side of instruction, requiring her students to read newspapers and report what they find out. Her subject is supervisory management, but along the way she helps them write resumes and talks about how to approach discussing their time in prison with potential employers.
They appreciate the emphasis on the practical, because many are worried about what will happen when they get out. Some are terrified, Hacker said, and helping them create concrete plans for what to do after prison seems to provide focus and comfort.
&uot;They’re dying to be considered normal and I’m confident of their ability to succeed,&uot; Hacker said.
&uot;These men have changed my outlook. In the end, the biggest difference between these guys and many other people in our society is that they got caught,&uot; she said.