The first snow of the season is just a memory, rain has washed it all away. For now I am somewhat relieved, not quite ready yet to settle into full on winter. I still have lots to do that requires I get out and about, drive around the city, and prefer not to have to navigate snowy roads while doing so. But it was an exciting development, Corey’s first snowfall in almost ten years. He was thrilled to venture out to the snow filled parking lot for his morning smoke break, and stand amongst the large, falling flakes. He spent his day, for the most part, riding the city buses to various destinations, submitting job applications and resumes, not minding in the very least, the change in the weather. In fact, buoyed by it!

Currently he is waiting for approval from the BOP for home confinement. Once he gets that (hopefully by the end of the month) he can move out of the halfway house and into his own apartment. His Case Manager has already viewed it and given her approval. Once there, he will have far greater freedom to explore job options.

When Corey first entered prison, back in 2004, most job applicants walked into a business and filled out a paper application form, left a resume, and waited to be called for an interview. SO much has changed in this regard, in the past decade, with technological advances . Most jobs now require that one apply online. With the few hours a day he’s been spending at Job Source, just a short bus ride from the HwH, he’s been getting his computer ‘legs’ back, as he searches for businesses with openings, or even just where he would like to work. This is in addition to the conventional means, making lists of businesses he wants to apply at, getting HwH approval for each one, then hopping a bus around the city to get to these businesses. He must be sure to take back with him, for his Case Manager, from every business he has been to, a business card or similar, something to ‘prove’ he was actually there, doing what he was approved to do.

He also had a meeting with a few people from SNAP, a Spokane community action agency, that helps one get back on his feet. The agency is ‘granted’(funded) by the Federal Govt and of the benefits offered, there are a few Corey qualifies for that will greatly assist him as he begins to rebuild his life. His Case Manager from the ‘house’ set up the appointment with SNAP, it is actually mandatory for the residents. When he was being interviewed and informed about the Program, by two of the SNAP staff members, they were stunned to learn, upon asking, that he had just emerged from almost ten years in prison for a first time, non violent marijuana offense. Not only at the absurdity of sentence length, but genuinely appalled their tax dollars are spent, wasted they both felt, in warehousing young men, taking away their lives, and in many cases, their futures. They both felt this type of ‘justice’ was not what Americans wanted or needed, but understood most have no idea of how the system has evolved into what it is today. Broken and dysfunctional, and injust.

Though it is foggy, rainy day, I know today will find Corey riding the city buses yet again, seeking employment. I am hopeful, as he is, that an employer will see beyond the poor decisions he made as a young man, review his qualifications and education, acquired both prior to, and during, his encarceration. See this bright, full of hope young man, eager to build a life, a future and take a chance.

“America is the land of the second chance - and when the gates of the prison open, the path ahead should lead to a better life.” George Bush