Quicker Isn’t Better, Only Easier
Imagine your whole life changing from one mistake, spending several decades in a confined space, behind bars, and suddenly being released to a world that was completely different from what you knew. Due to the high percentage of mass incarceration in the United States, approximately “2.2 million people were incarcerated” as of 2016; of this group, 14,000 of these men originate from Los Angeles County, experiencing this tough journey full of struggles and challenges as a previously incarcerated man (Frankel). Not only do these men experience a world that is different from what they are used to but they also struggle with several aspects of their lives; common hurdles faced by this community include finding a job, finding a place to reside, reconnecting with family, and much more.
One other prominent issue is the well-being of these men, whether it is regarding mental or physical health. Being in prison can be a very emotionally complex process that can impact health. Not only do incarcerated men have higher chances of chronic illnesses, but also struggle with mental health due to the social stigma of society. Another commonly seen issue faced by this community is probation and parole. After being released, these men are watched and have rules and regulations they need to follow for a specific period (usually a couple of years), depending on the person; this impacts their daily lives in where they are allowed to go and the specific time frame of when they are allowed to be outside.As these issues are commonly seen in incarcerated men, it is important to approach this community with special attention and care, as the judgment from other people and the lack of support from their friends and family, create more invisible barriers to reintegrating into a “new world”. Whether the support is provided through transitional housing, employment assistance, counseling, etc…, it is important to have this strong foundation to help these men successfully reintegrate, ensuring that these individuals receive the support they need.
Through my various community service and volunteer experiences, I have recognized that service is not about solely providing resources, but about the lasting effect of recognizing the backgrounds of the people you are assisting and getting to know who they are. It is important to emphasize the importance of face-to-face interactions and the limitations of what others believe are signs of good service. Many volunteer and community service opportunities focus on these face-to-face interactions, like the “The Francisco Homes”. They are dedicated to addressing these challenges by providing support to previously incarcerated men and helping them transition from an institutionalized life to a path of self-sufficiency. As other students might believe that good service is about helping the less fortunate, wanting to appear as a “savior” or a “good person,” we need to recognize that this one-time resource-driven service is not good service but “quick service.” Despite having different roles in various communities, the sense of what good service might look like was consistent throughout, reinforcing the idea that good service does not derive from quick acts of giving but instead, from the deep connections and relationships formed and getting to know who the people of this community are.
Resources and necessities are essential for survival and the physical and mental well-being of all individuals. Although providing these resources is important, it is important to recognize that this “quick service” is not the solution. These one-time resource-focused services fall short in regards to creating deeper connections and forming relationships within the community. Communities need more than resources; they are not waiting for “saviors” to help them but instead need support, guidance, and relationships from people who are willing to take the time to understand their stories. Through my experience with the previously incarcerated men, I have met at “The Francisco Homes” I have had the opportunity to establish meaningful relationships with these individuals and listen to their stories, whether it is about how they ended up in prison, what their future goals are, or the struggles they face as previously being in jail. By hearing their personal experiences, I can attempt to support them and help them reintegrate while meeting their needs. As part of “The Francisco Homes,” I have planned an event for visiting a college campus; although this might seem “little” to other people, it is important to recognize that several of these men have never experienced the life of a college student due to them being imprisoned. By taking the time to learn about their struggles of being incarcerated, I have been able to plan events like these while being mindful of possible issues, like parole.
A person on parole is someone who “gets out from behind bars but must live up to a series of responsibilities…” if not followed, there are “risks going back into custody (prison)”. Although this might seem simple to follow, parole is very strict. In the state of California, the “Three Strike Law” was created so that “anyone who had committed two serious felonies would effectively be sentenced to jail for life upon being convicted of a third crime” (Taibbi). Due to this, the issue of parole discouraged this community from joining fun events; with this in mind, I planned the event within a specific time frame that would not interfere with parole as these community activities are crucial in providing a sense of belonging, purpose, and a bridge to connect with society again.
Solely providing resources is a valid and efficient approach to community service, but it has its limitations. These one-time services lack depth and sustainability as they are unable to develop deep connections with the community. If I had been unable to learn about the lives of these men and their struggles, I would have never been able to know about their worries about parole and whether or not this affected the possible lack of engagement and appearances with these events. Good service involves face-to-face communication, fostering deeper relationships and connections that can also lead to easier reintegration.
Good community service is about the positive change that does not only derive from the physical resources provided but also because of the relationships it nurtures. Again, although these resources are essential, they alone can not bring lasting change; good service lies in face-to-face interactions and the relationships formed through them. Fellow students and volunteers need to recognize that good service is more than meeting immediate needs but also creating relationships with the communities, understanding and knowing their backgrounds and experiences in order to assist them in the most optimal ways.
Bibliography:
Frankel, A. (2023, March 28). Revoked. Human Rights Watch. https://www.hrw.org/report/2020/07/31/revoked/how-probation-and-parole-feed-mass-incarceration-united-states
Monica Steiner, C. A. (2016, January 11). What is parole? How does parole work?. www.nolo.com. https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/how-does-parole-work.html
Taibbi, M. (2018, June 25). Taibbi: The shame of three strikes laws. Rolling Stone. https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/cruel-and-unusual-punishment-the-shame-of-three-strikes-laws-92042/
