Munroe Correctional Complex
I was running on 4 hours of sleep by the time I arrived to BCC to meet up with fellow carpoolers to head down to Munroe. I hoped into the girls Excursion and was greeted by not only the driver but 2 fellow classmates, one who I "bonded" with through the torture that was the dating interview. We waited in the car near the roundabout in a painfully long and quiet 10 minutes before another class peep arrived and we were on our way.
I normal 40 minute drive (according to Mapquest and Prof. Arunga) took us a good hour and so minutes. We some how ended up way east near Issaquah or way North...had to stop and get directions a few times...needless to say we all "bonded".
When we arrived, we had to stop and turn off our engine as the speaker came on. Their was a watchtower from the opposite side of the road which was where the man was talking to us. We parked and had to stay on the sidewalk as numerous signs directed it, not to mention the heavy flow of security going this way and that. Keenan and I noticed that the humungous complex resembled some sort of church or even ancient Roman buildings...quite strange. Not to mention it was sad that the High School was no more than 2 football fields away from the complex grounds.
We met up with our Prof who said she "had good news and bad news". The good was that we made it...the bad was that our driver, as well as two others from the Prof's other class from another school, were underage and could not go pass the "main office" where a really old twitchy lady was planted. Keenan and I contemplated not going on to stay with her as we felt bad, but we eventually moved on.
We exchanged our ID for a visitor pass and made our way upstairs for an airline's type search. The guard gave me a really, I mean really bad look. Keenan and I were thankfully he didn't have to use his gloves on us :P Next he stamped us on the top of our right hand and bottom forearm with some sort of "invisible ink".
We headed back downstairs and had to wait a good 3 minutes before the doors were allowed open for a shift change. The doors opened and guards came out. We made our way outside and then were packed in tight to a room as the door was shut from behind us. The door in front opened, but not before a rush of clausterphobia hit me. We made our way into the caged area with guards on the outside in the caged office. They first checked for our pass which was to always remain on the upper left chest. Then one by one we put our arms under the U.V. light. After that we made out way through a long, narrow corridor which was brightly light and a pale tan, save the various wall paintings of different natural environments. I saw two metal doors, probably each a foot thick which were closed but through the glass I saw it lead to the mess hall.
We made our way outside which was to one of those metal gates with the metal bar circle swing bar doors with the top layered in barb wite. There were a few towers as well. Keenan and I held up in the back with a supervisor lady who prevented people from turning back. We saw various inmates here and there in different clicks, some glaring at us what have you. On the right was a huge field enclosed by a giant wall with towers, on the left was some workout stuff. Some white guys on the field rushed the fence and were saying things like "Ching Chan Wong" or what have you, directed towards me. Kennan, whose white, and I were sort of startled.
Finally we made it to Prof. Arunga's class where the inmates were already there. Keenan and I sat together with 3 other inmates. There weren't enough students so about half the class had inmates without students at the tables. They were all nice, even those who you didn't sit with would come and ask if you wanted some tea or coffee. We shook hands, and made our introductions and then sat and listened to the speakers who presented their burning issues.
Most were African American, 2 or 3 white guys (2 were at least 50), 1 younger Hispanic, a Native American and an older middle eastern man. It surprised me how educated they were, like, really educated. Many of the speakers were in there for life. They were all very open and loved to discuss political issues. None were in "inmate clothing". Many were grateful of Prof Arunga as she does this as volunteer work. Prof Arunga is a huge activist, you name it and she's probably done it. Black Panther to WTO riots. I believe an inmate said no other complex offered programs from volunteer's and don't have anything that teaches beyond a GED.
After the speakers we broke down and just talked in our small groups. At the end many of the inmates made the effort to shake hands and many of the students were appreciative. One girl said that the inmates were really helping her as she wanted to be a criminal lawyer (much applause and hollars for her), she did a shout out to her table which was hilarious to, the inmates obviously asked her.
Coming back we had about 10 minutes to get to the front before another shift change. At the gate we had to wait as the tower asked for how many were in our group so he could program the gate to only let in that amount of people. Some inmates, in a diverse group, asked Keenan where we were from and stuff while we waited. Som guy near the U.V. light check didn't have his visitor tag on which caused a minor shift in tone of the guards. But that was basically the jist of it. I signed up as a potential volunteer.
~~Not enough time to go home so I hung out in the parking lot for a bit before lab started. Today's lab was fun being that Todd, my cuz, stoner kid (not so much) just chilled and talked and goofed around. We were one of only two groups to do the lab right so other groups had to watch us (thanks to my mad pipetting skillz), which resulted in a guy, another who is adamant in talking with me and his group, one I didn't really like before and a girl who is a little ditzy. Topics were from politics to Chuck Norris, good times. Todd and I keep playing back and forth off one another, it's pretty funny, not to mention our prof who is wicked awesome. I'm actually fairly social with a number of peeps in that class ( I even talk to people slightly as well), from both sections, it feels good actually.
I'm tired and my head is now throbbing...peace.
I normal 40 minute drive (according to Mapquest and Prof. Arunga) took us a good hour and so minutes. We some how ended up way east near Issaquah or way North...had to stop and get directions a few times...needless to say we all "bonded".
When we arrived, we had to stop and turn off our engine as the speaker came on. Their was a watchtower from the opposite side of the road which was where the man was talking to us. We parked and had to stay on the sidewalk as numerous signs directed it, not to mention the heavy flow of security going this way and that. Keenan and I noticed that the humungous complex resembled some sort of church or even ancient Roman buildings...quite strange. Not to mention it was sad that the High School was no more than 2 football fields away from the complex grounds.
We met up with our Prof who said she "had good news and bad news". The good was that we made it...the bad was that our driver, as well as two others from the Prof's other class from another school, were underage and could not go pass the "main office" where a really old twitchy lady was planted. Keenan and I contemplated not going on to stay with her as we felt bad, but we eventually moved on.
We exchanged our ID for a visitor pass and made our way upstairs for an airline's type search. The guard gave me a really, I mean really bad look. Keenan and I were thankfully he didn't have to use his gloves on us :P Next he stamped us on the top of our right hand and bottom forearm with some sort of "invisible ink".
We headed back downstairs and had to wait a good 3 minutes before the doors were allowed open for a shift change. The doors opened and guards came out. We made our way outside and then were packed in tight to a room as the door was shut from behind us. The door in front opened, but not before a rush of clausterphobia hit me. We made our way into the caged area with guards on the outside in the caged office. They first checked for our pass which was to always remain on the upper left chest. Then one by one we put our arms under the U.V. light. After that we made out way through a long, narrow corridor which was brightly light and a pale tan, save the various wall paintings of different natural environments. I saw two metal doors, probably each a foot thick which were closed but through the glass I saw it lead to the mess hall.
We made our way outside which was to one of those metal gates with the metal bar circle swing bar doors with the top layered in barb wite. There were a few towers as well. Keenan and I held up in the back with a supervisor lady who prevented people from turning back. We saw various inmates here and there in different clicks, some glaring at us what have you. On the right was a huge field enclosed by a giant wall with towers, on the left was some workout stuff. Some white guys on the field rushed the fence and were saying things like "Ching Chan Wong" or what have you, directed towards me. Kennan, whose white, and I were sort of startled.
Finally we made it to Prof. Arunga's class where the inmates were already there. Keenan and I sat together with 3 other inmates. There weren't enough students so about half the class had inmates without students at the tables. They were all nice, even those who you didn't sit with would come and ask if you wanted some tea or coffee. We shook hands, and made our introductions and then sat and listened to the speakers who presented their burning issues.
Most were African American, 2 or 3 white guys (2 were at least 50), 1 younger Hispanic, a Native American and an older middle eastern man. It surprised me how educated they were, like, really educated. Many of the speakers were in there for life. They were all very open and loved to discuss political issues. None were in "inmate clothing". Many were grateful of Prof Arunga as she does this as volunteer work. Prof Arunga is a huge activist, you name it and she's probably done it. Black Panther to WTO riots. I believe an inmate said no other complex offered programs from volunteer's and don't have anything that teaches beyond a GED.
After the speakers we broke down and just talked in our small groups. At the end many of the inmates made the effort to shake hands and many of the students were appreciative. One girl said that the inmates were really helping her as she wanted to be a criminal lawyer (much applause and hollars for her), she did a shout out to her table which was hilarious to, the inmates obviously asked her.
Coming back we had about 10 minutes to get to the front before another shift change. At the gate we had to wait as the tower asked for how many were in our group so he could program the gate to only let in that amount of people. Some inmates, in a diverse group, asked Keenan where we were from and stuff while we waited. Som guy near the U.V. light check didn't have his visitor tag on which caused a minor shift in tone of the guards. But that was basically the jist of it. I signed up as a potential volunteer.
~~Not enough time to go home so I hung out in the parking lot for a bit before lab started. Today's lab was fun being that Todd, my cuz, stoner kid (not so much) just chilled and talked and goofed around. We were one of only two groups to do the lab right so other groups had to watch us (thanks to my mad pipetting skillz), which resulted in a guy, another who is adamant in talking with me and his group, one I didn't really like before and a girl who is a little ditzy. Topics were from politics to Chuck Norris, good times. Todd and I keep playing back and forth off one another, it's pretty funny, not to mention our prof who is wicked awesome. I'm actually fairly social with a number of peeps in that class ( I even talk to people slightly as well), from both sections, it feels good actually.
I'm tired and my head is now throbbing...peace.