Courtney - ODYS - Blog 2

Today was just as much a learning experience as the first day was. We went to an all boys’ correctional facility called Indian River. In the morning, we toured their campus because it was laid out differently than the facility we toured the day before at Scioto. This specific correctional facility was a two story single building that had all of the units where the boys’ rooms were, including the medical unit, gymnasium, cafeterias, and administration offices. Separate from the main building is the high school, which is also accredited like Scioto was. They had many programs like auto mechanics and wood shop that the boys can utilize. They build sheds for Habitat for Humanity as well as sell them to customers. I spent the majority of my day in one of the two mental health units the facility had. They are the only facility that houses mental health youth in the state. Each unit had 10-12 boys that needed special and more attention and watch. I had the opportunity to talk and socialize with two boys aged 18 and 19 that were in the “mentor program” at Indian River. These boys had to apply and interview for their positions, and were selected based on their previous behavior and trustworthiness. They are responsible for assisting in the mental health units. They both live in this unit, and serve as a mediator between staff and the youth. One boy was a high school graduate and attending college courses, while the other is on schedule to graduate in May of this year. To talk with them about how they have used and are using their time in juvenile correction facilities to better themselves and learn from their mistakes was inspiring. Both of the boys told me the crimes that landed them in the correction facility, but went on to explain why they were wrong and what they were working on to be better citizens when they leave. While I enjoyed talking with them about their personal lives and lives in prison, I had even more fun arguing and debating with them about all kinds of sports. I loved talking about Kansas basketball and Ohio State football with them because it was something that we both had in common, even though our current situations are so incredibly different. One of the boys was even given permission to allow me to leave with a small piece of notebook paper with the name of his rap song on YouTube. Not only did this show me how trusted those two boys in the mentor program are, but it also showed me how they have ambitions and passions just like any other 18 year old.