Behind prison walls, stories may talk

                                             
During my time at The Marion Star, some of the most interesting places to find stories have been two local prisons.

I covered several religious programs at Marion Correctional Institution and covered eduational programs at both MCI and North Central Correctional Institution.

I took this photo of an inmate describing what kind of crops are grown in a NCCI community service garden. The crops are given to area charities.

The stories I’ve written have attempted to show the public a few slices of life from within the prison walls. I have found some of the most creative people, as well as some of the most devout in their faith, live within these walls.

In order to get the stories I have had to learn to talk to the inmates as humans, to look past their deeds. I also had to put any fear aside, which isn’t always an easy thing when the large metal gates fasten shut behind you.
I briefly taught creative writing at MCI. The class was cut short because of my own jumbled schedule and because many of my students were involved in a number of other activities meeting the same night.

While it only lasted a few months, the experience was one of the two most moving that I’ve had during my 13 years in Marion.

As far as coverage, there are limitations. First the prisons often dictate with whom I speak. Media are expected to sign a form saying that they will follow the rules. Luckily good media relations people have worked with us to help find inmates willing to talk to us and share their stories.

The other hurdle is that, at least at the local prisons, the majority of inmates did not originally live within this area. That means readers likely do not know any of the sources and editors don’t always consider these stories of local interest.

To find stories, ask media relations staff to give you heads up on any upcoming events. It is also helpful to find a list of what programs and classes the prison offers inmates.