How interesting!
I have been wondering how to deal with sewing machines, etc. in a prison system. Never dawned on me to teach hand sewing.
I am not familiar with privately owned prisons, but if more govt projects were put in the hands of American citizens, the savings would be staggering; the creativity in utilizing idle hands amazing.
I am joining your fan club!
I saw an episode on Simply Quilts a decade or more ago regarding quilters going into a women's prison and teaching quilting. I could immediately see the benefits in so many ways.
Your details on personal development of the inmates reveals a lot about them that I had never considered. For the most part, they seem to have come from a "survival of the fittest" environment, hence poor behavior on many levels.
Our county prison facilities are in a town down the road from our place. In the new year, I think I will go to the County Sheriff and see if he and I can't figure out a way to make this a reality here in Grant County. I know that there are many county properties that benefit from "trustee" industry.
I am convinced you can never change someone else's life unless you teach them to do something that they can take with them wherever they go. It is one thing to go out picking up garbage along the highway, but it seems to be a "dead end job".
Don't you think an inmate would benefit more with a skill that he can teach others?
On this board, we daily meet people new to quilting; everyone has to start somewhere. We watch them grow in individual, unique applications and their private lives are surely improved by the doing for others as much as their own personal growth.
And, STANDARDS! Y'all have absolutely articulated the need for standards and goals well. How many of us never considered those two qualities as beneficial to our lives until we came to quilting?
I am so glad you joined us! And, I am greatly encouraged by your explanation of the program. You have presented it so well that I could absolutely print out your introduction and our County Sheriff's Department would have a new outlook on the persons in the cells, I am sure of it!
THank you. Now, I have to go back and read the other pages, because the responses and questions you got on the first two pages are an education in themselves.
This is all VERY exciting! <wave>