Story by: Karen Rutledge, Interim CEO
Michele Dempsey, Executive Liaison
Photo by: Stuart Young
Connections Program Manager
In February, we began the first of a three part series of blog posts about its Connections Program. This is the second installment in the series. Read part one.
Karen Rutledge, Shangri-La’s Interim CEO, recently had the opportunity to interview Darren, a 32-year-old first time offender who is serving time at Oregon State Correctional Institute (OSCI.) The focus of the interview was how Shangri-La’s Connections Program has helped him be successful in prison and prepare him for re-entry to community life.
Darren’s life changed in 2011 when he was incarcerated. He had been in trouble before, but this was different. Now he was convicted of a crime and sent to prison for several years. It was the wake-up call he needed.Darren was adopted at an early age and was raised in a strong Christian home. His adopted family included 31 other children, many who had “special needs” and were adopted, like Darren. He dropped out of school and had a series of short-term jobs, but his life lacked direction and he struggled.
Two months after becoming an inmate at OSCI, Darren became enrolled in Shangri-La’s Connections Program. Although he did not know what to expect or how it would turn out, he was curious about it and was willing to give it a try.
It was at Connections that Darren met Program Manager, Stuart Young, who learned of Darren’s interest to work in the prison print shop. For Darren to be able to work at the print shop, however, he needed to be certified. This meant that Darren had to pass 27 tests that were based on information in a text book. Because of his learning challenges, Darren knew he needed help if he was going to achieve this goal.
Stuart believes that Connections’ focus on “Interpersonal Effectiveness,” one of the four areas of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) taught by the program, gave Darren the self-confidence to pursue this certification. DBT training helped Darren believe in himself and have confidence to ask for help.
Stuart agreed to tutor Darren for each of the 27 tests, spending one hour with him for every test. Together, they focused on print shop operations, work ethics, and relating with peers. Darren had the opportunity to work on a limited basis in the print shop during his studies, doing things like stacking and loading paper, gluing, collating, and padding. He enjoyed the work and was even more determined to become certified. In the end, Darren successfully passed each test and was hired full-time.
Throughout the experience, Darren attended Connections classes and learned many things that helped him think and do things differently. He is working toward earning his General Education Diploma (GED) and he has many goals for his future. He hopes someday to go to college, own a print shop or find work in a ministry helping others.
While he is in prison, Connections will continue to give him the support he wants or needs to maintain his job and pursue his goals. Staff will also assist him to transition back to the community when he gets close to his release date.