dreams and celebrations

We're in a class room in the heart of the Super Jail where 300o inmates are detained for any where from 3 days to 2 years. Mostly awaiting trail.

We have about 15 men in orange jail garb in the room, and me, their 56 year old female teacher.
The men I work with are all accused of felonies.

The class room has two bullet proof wire reinforced windows that look out into the hall way. Freezing in summer, roasting hot in winter due to all artificial air and impossible to adjust thermostat.

The cinder block wall are that fancy kind of block that looks like stone. and the walls are covered with drawings paintings and collages the guys have done.

Wednesday Dec 30th.

Writing class: We wrote about 2009. What were your dreams for 2009? What did your experience? What did you learn? What are you grieving? What are you celebrating? New dream for 2010.

One guy was celebrating that he had gotten into culinary school the day before he was arrested. He was celebrating that he had overcome his fear of being too stupid to go to school.

Two men celebrated the births of daughters, and one was celebrating the birth of his twins in September.

One man celebrated the love he shares with his wife, and his profound gratitude for her loyalty and support.

Everyone dreamed of getting out, getting a good job and providing for their families, except for one guy who was going to prison for 9 years. He said he had no dream.