In an interesting series about Oregon prisons, The Oregonian, looks at the difference seeing the horizon can make for some inmates.
Most of the 1,741 inmates in Two Rivers Correctional Institution are in the prison’s medium-security wing, which the journalist compares to a mall, but with dimly lit tiers and prison cells with scarce views of the outside world. Daylight pours into the prison’s 14 shoe-shaped recreation yards, but the walls are so high they block the horizon. The recreation yards are dry and dull, and all you can see of the outside world is a patch of sky. As the journalists points out: “From there, it’s hard to imagine the world beyond.”
Photo courtesy: http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/07/inside_oregon_prisons_most_inm.html
Only a select few get to see a spectacular view of Lake Wallula, near Umatilla, and the hillsides of eastern Washington, from what is called the “incentive yard.” It’s called the “incentive yard” because for many inmates it can be an incentive for good behavior, but also for reducing recidivism. One of the inmates explains that seeing the sunset, for the first time after many years, meant a world of difference to him. And it made him work harder to redeem himself, to get home to his children, to make them proud of him.
Photo courtesy: http://columbiariverimages.com/Regions/Places/lake_wallula.html
You can read more about prisons in Oregon, through the series that looks inside the wire.
Let us know what you think makes the most difference in the lives of inmates? Go to YOUR VOICE.
