My Afternoon at a Maximum Security Prison.

My job is great and in only a week I've been given so many different opportunities!

Yesterday I visited Oregon's only maximum security prison. I got to walk through the courtyard while a bunch of the inmates were doing recreational activities. I also spent some time in the cafeteria where 800 inmates were eating their lunches. That was probably the moment that got me the most. There were so many eyes in our direction and I couldn't help but think about the fact that a handful of these men were rapists and murderers. You just can't think about it while you're there -- it's too scary. Mark was, I'm sure, THRILLED that I was gawked at all afternoon by inmates. He said, "Just show them your ring!" And I was like, "Baby, I don't think these are the kind of guys who respect the whole sacredness of marriage thing."

We also spent time in the Hobby Shop, where inmates get the opportunity to produce jewelry, leather goods and art. These inmates were talented -- like really talented. The officer heading the shop said that every inmate in there came into prison with not a single talent, but after so many years of doing nothing you just start to acquire certain artistic talents. I was unaware of this at the time, but I apparently was in the same room with the I-5 Killer when I was in the Hobby Shop. I've read so much about it and honestly never thought I'd be standing in the same room as him.

An interesting ethical question has come into my mind since the visit. I chatted for about 45 minutes with a convicted murderer. And to my surprise, he was the nicest man. He smiled, he laughed, he was friendly and helpful. I just couldn't believe that this man had murdered two innocent people. He said he has spent most of his adult life in prison, and when I checked the records, he was right. He was in his 60's and had been admitted in his early 20's. Should this man really spend his whole life in prison?? I highly doubt he is the same man he was in his 20's. There is just no way. He had a great talent for making leather goods, which could be marketable out in the real world. Do we really have to keep him locked up, costing the Oregon government $80 a day!? I say...ugh...I don't know what I think. Odd, I know. On the other hand I feel for the victims. It's really a fine line. Anyway -- something to chew on I guess.

(Mark's Update -- just about to pin down a job and start working. As for now he is loving living with my aunt and her adorable puppy. He even got to babysit the puppy all week while she was out of town. Lucky boy!)

First Day On The Job.

First Day.

Other than the commute to Salem, everything about my job is fantastic. I left my house this morning an hour or so before I needed to be at work. Since it was my first day and I have no experience with commuting, I figured it would be my trial run. I got to work in 40 minutes and ended up sitting for 30 minutes in the parking lot trying to entertain myself. Even though that sucked for the time being, it was actually a magnificent discovery because it meant that I get to wake up later every morning than I originally had thought.

Everyone that I work for is fabulous. And they dress well too. I don't know what it is about people who dress well, but they just exude the kind of confidence that I respect. It feels good to go to work and be in an office where everyone is polished and looking nice. Plus it makes mornings fun to whip together an outfit that can leave an impression.

The building that I work in was built in the 1800's. Beautiful architecture. I actually found out that the film, One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest, was filmed in the same building. The Department of Corrections is currently housed in a former insane asylum, the asylum that was obviously used for the movie. This morning when I arrived I found out that we were going on a field trip to tour the tunnel system below the building. Inmates who are allowed to have jobs work down in the tunnel and transport food and other things from building to building. Pretty crazy. It feels nice to work in a building that has so much history. I'm not going to lie, it makes me feel pretty important.

As for the job itself, I edited and started writing a few issue briefs today (kind of like press releases). I'm already getting projects and things to work on so I feel confident that this is going to be a worthwhile internship that will certainly teach me a thing or two about working in public affairs.

My drive home took forever. I hate traffic. But Mark said he is going to take me to get some books on tape. I might as well put my brain to work when I am in the car. It sucks up so much of my time (and gas I might add) that I might as well try to use that time to be a smarter person.

Anyway, I give the day an A- (the minus is for the traffic and gas consumption of course). That's a pretty great score if you ask me.