The ebook for Supermax Prison: Controlling the most dangerous criminals is available. The paperback will be released in late September 2017. Below is one of my favorite excerpts describing our imaginary prison of the future.
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While science tells us how to operate the prison of the future, we still lack the will, the inner force that drives success. Nevertheless, we have our imagination and dreams, the incubators where ideas are born. Perhaps there is another chapter to our story; the birth, death, and resurrection of Tamms, our imaginary prison of the future.
A handful of inmates, 2 correctional officers, and a farmer stand in the middle of 236 acres of bottomland in the heart of southern Illinois. It’s mid-summer. A 50-acre stand of toast-colored wheat is about to be cut in early July. Some 150 acres of weed-free soybeans stretch across the horizon like waves of green swinging to and fro from the gentle push of a southernly breeze. Inmates stand silently, marveling at the spiritual alliance between Mother Nature and men willing to work; taking stock of themselves, realizing who they have become. Money from the bean and wheat harvests will be used to pay for inmate labor and equipment they might need.
The farmer and inmates begin playing catch with what we call “farmer talk.” One inmate picks up a clod of dirt and breaks it apart with his bare hand. “Beans look good, but we could sure use a slow summer rain.” Other inmates agree as they kick at the parched soil. Someone asked if it is time to harvest the beans. “Well, let’s take a look see” the farmer says. “If the color is yellow to green the beans are asking for more time.” He grabs a handful of beans and spits tobacco juice onto the ground. “We’re looking for a tan to brown color, and beans that rattle in the pod.” He pulls the pod apart and asks an inmate for his thoughts.
The inmate rolled the beans between his thumb and index finger. “Seems a little damp to me. Maybe need two or three more weeks. I guess Mother Nature has a say.”
“I think you’re right.” As they walk across the field, the farmer whispers to the correctional officer. “This guy is going to make a good farmer.” These inmates are gaining the skills and temperament to be real farmers. When they join the outside world, they might be hired hands on a farm, or perhaps they will own a piece of land someday….