Juvies by Ara Oshagan

Every time I walk into a juvenile jail or prison, I am overcome by a sense of unshakable sadness. I have friends who work in these spaces on a daily basis. They walk those halls, they share their talents, and most of all they ensure that these young people are not forgotten, that they are valued. The following are some reflections on a year of teaching in a juvenile jail that I received from a friend. I have changed any names that were mentioned in the piece. It was written quickly and not originally intended to be published. I asked for permission to share it here because I found it so poignant.

Reflections of a year in the Juvenile Detention Center

This year at the center has been a life changing experience – not only my life, but the lives of my students as well. When I first came into this situation I was unsure, unclear and excited about what I had the opportunity to do. The concept of changing youngsters’ lives through art is such a wonderful thing. The one thing which public schools are trying to derail from modern day education is the thing that I’m now teaching to wayward individuals.

How beautiful is this, I think everyday as I walk that mile long hallway to my exit. Freedom is such a strange word, what does it mean to be free? Am I really free when I leave these juvenile doors, or just reintroduced into an environment of superficial comfort? I think freedom is in art, when you can fully express yourself with no bounds. I hope my students got a chance to experience that. The best artist statement I received from a student was from Tommy. He said, about a beautiful ceramic mask he created:

I call this project blind because unfortunately I am blind to my future. I try to blind myself from my past, and still blind to see what I’m doing wrong in the present. I feel that this project shows me that I can create a masterpiece out of clunks of clays. This is especially important in my situation because all though I’m incarcerated I feel I can still make something of my predicaments.

What a beautiful thing to say. After reading this I thought, “Wow, they’re getting what they need God, freedom.”

Can an experience change a life? Overall I have to say I’ve grown a lot from this first experience, but I’m not satisfied. There is still so much more to do, more lives to affect, more fingers to point. What is the future of the Juvenile Detention Center? Tommy asked a question about whether kids would ever be able to get diplomas here in jail. Maybe that question will one day be answered.

By the way Tommy was taken to County today. I was told I should write him a letter, and send him ten bucks for commissary. That’s the best you can do for him.

Don’t you wish love and knowledge were easily accessible.

Friday Aug 6, 2010
Last day of school