I Hear Your Cry
Veronica Shaffer
Reviewed by Carianne Carleo-Evangelist
I Hear Your Cry by
Veronica Shaffer is a story of education
of a whole different kind. Inspired by personal motivation, coupled
with her
own experiences facing powerless and desperation, emotions not uncommon
among prisoners
in general, but especially female prisoners, the author initiates a
program in
which she can work with the prisoners and encourage them.
Ms. Shaffer has extensive experience in education, but
throughout the course of her program she allows herself to be taught by
her
students. She recognizes that, despite being incarcerated, these women
have
lessons which they can teach. Further, the prison system itself was
educational. It appears structures, but it is not immune to change.
Change
which could hurt the author’s programs if she didn’t work with the
change.
Perhaps one of the elements that made her program successful
is that of respect. It’s not anything that can be planned for, or
worked into a
syllabus, however it is crucial. When she met the pregnant inmates
about six
months into the program, she realized she was facing a new challenge.
She
welcomed them into her class, but allowed them to do it at their own
pace. At
the same time, she was cognizant of those who had issues going beyond
the
visible issues and ensured that the classes were beneficial for all. It
was
also likely this culture of respect which allowed some of the inmates
to come
to her, to tell her why they liked her class or, in some cases, why
they felt
they might not return.
When inmates make the news, it’s often for sad situations
such as high recidivism rates, prison riots or cruel treatment. Perhaps
if stories
such as this, and work such as that which the author has done were to
make the
news, it would encourage people to realize that more can and should be
done for
those incarcerated. There is no question that these people need to be
punished
for the crimes they have committed, however that does not mean they
should be
forgotten about. They need attention and education if they are to play
a
meaningful role in society upon their release.
I look forward to reading more about the author’s work and
the difference she is able to make.