Just Visiting:The Unexpected Lessons I Learned in Jail

I serve as a Care Coordinator for the Healthy Start program in Baker County. Part of my position entails co-facilitating a parenting support group at the local jail every week. Honestly, visiting a jail was not an idea I had ever entertained before I considered applying for this position in the North Florida Health Corps. However, the idea of exploring things outside of my comfort zone is what initially motivated me to consider serving with AmeriCorps.

Serving at the jail can be challenging, especially because the group of women that attend our support group fluctuates from week to week. Some women only spend a few days in the jail, while other women serve up to year-long sentences. A few individuals have become regular attendees, including Josephine*, a woman with more strength and gumption than I have ever come across before. Since starting my service term, Josephine has been completely invested in our class. She has shown up every week for our sessions with her coffee and composition notebook in tow, ready to contribute to what will be discussed that day. Josephine always greets my mentor and me each with a hug, and immediately helps us set up the circle of chairs. As we prepare to start the class, it’s only her orange jumpsuit that reminds me she’s an inmate, rather than one of my mother’s friends happily inquiring about my life.

However, it is not as easy to forget this detail during our sessions. Josephine willingly shares her stories about how she ended up in jail and the consequences she’s faced as a result of her crime. Frequently, Josephine will become very emotional as she recognizes how her actions affect not only herself, but also her family. It is difficult to watch someone experience so much pain, no matter what events have caused his or her current circumstances. Yet, she still manages to maintain an extremely positive outlook and sets an example for her fellow inmates. Josephine constantly encourages her peers to remain optimistic and trust that they will be able to overcome the consequences of their incarceration. It is for this reason that I believe Josephine personifies perseverance. Though she currently faces the difficulty of having an unknown fate, she maintains hope and faith that her efforts to improve from her mistakes will be recognized.

Personally, I am very grateful to have the opportunity to get to know Josephine. From facilitating this class, I now understand the magnitude of the impact one poor choice can have on one’s life. This experience has reinforced the importance of withholding judgment of another person based on one facet of her life. I’m very glad I took such a large step outside of my comfort zone to interact with a population I might otherwise never have been exposed to. Visiting the Baker County Jail has taught me the importance of acknowledging life lessons, even in unexpected places.

*Name has been changed for confidentiality purposes

This post was written by NFHC member Caroline Culig.

Caroline serves at the Florida Department of Health in Baker County as a Healthy Start Care Coordinator.