'I Am Not An Inmate ... I Am A Man. And I Have Potential' by Jessica Jacobs

jessicajacobs6 — 2024-09-29 20:58:14 UTC

What do you make of Huff's admissions in paragraphs 25-27? Do you appreciate his honesty? Do you feel that his musings gave you valuable insight into his life and his internal struggle?

jessicajacobs6 — 2024-09-29 20:59:17 UTC

Moody discusses the positive impact that education had on him. Horace Mann, an American political and educational reformer, once called education "the great equalizer." Do you agree? How can education improve a person's situation?

jessicajacobs6 — 2024-09-29 20:59:40 UTC

Why do you think Howard emphasizes that prison is "not a rehabilitation center" but a "warehouse" (Paragraph 14)? Based on what you know about the American prisons in the United States, do you agree?

jessicajacobs6 — 2024-09-29 20:59:53 UTC

Huff summarizes his experiences with the world outside of prison by drolly suggesting that "it's tough being a square" (Paragraph 25). Do you think it's more difficult to get ahead the lawful, moral way than to simply break laws and commit crimes for personal gain?

jessicajacobs6 — 2024-09-29 21:00:14 UTC

Price notes that "having to bottle up his feelings for so long [while in prison]…made him a different man" (Paragraph 20). In the context of this article, can you change your identity? How can rehabilitative efforts help? Cite evidence from this text, your own experience, and other literature, art, or history in your answer.

2024-09-30 18:37:02 UTC

Huff's input towards the end shows his transparency. Being real with the struggle of his reality. I appreciate him being honest about his journey. Reminding us of his growth but not deflecting his hardship.

2024-09-30 18:38:01 UTC

He reveals a deep self-awareness and vulnerability, offering a window into his internal struggle. His honesty about the difficulty of change and the fear of returning to old habits shows a conflict between his desire to be better and the temptations or tendencies that could pull him back into destructive behavior.

2024-09-30 18:38:42 UTC

I do appreciate his honesty. His admissions give a good insight on how much he's self-reflected and came to an understanding of the consequences to his actions. Him having a deep understanding of his mentality and how prison has impacted it really shows how you can become better even despite being a convict.

2024-09-30 18:40:41 UTC

What do you make of huff's admissions?

Huff's admissions were very honest and him admitting that 'being a square' was much harder than pretending to be tough was important for others to hear.

2024-09-30 18:41:41 UTC

Huff's admissions took courage and vulnerability. His honesty is certainly appreciated because he was introduced as such a tough character. Having knowledge on his true feelings can influence others to be more open generally and open-minded. Knowing his shift of character and attitude shows his effort he put into growing even when life was hard.

2024-09-30 18:42:23 UTC

Education can help improve a persons situation by giving them the knowledge and understanding of what is right and what is wrong. It can give them reflection of who they are and what they want to be or what good they should do to the world based on the inspiration they've gained from learning about great people. It could also give them an awakening to change, for themselves and for society.

2024-09-30 18:42:37 UTC

By being so blunt, Huff gives us readers an honest and unique perspective. Through his reflections, I was able to vividly imagine what he was experiencing and how new things such as bills and being laid off could be completely new and overwhelming for him.

2024-09-30 18:42:49 UTC

I do agree with Howard's statement that prison is "not a rehabilitation center" and instead a "warehouse" because whether or not incarceration has a positive impact or not depends on the inmate's way of thinking and their will to change. While some inmates take advantage of the time they are serving to change and focus on improving such as their education or finding God others remain the same and end up in prison again and again. The use of the word "Warehouse" puts into perspective how the inmates are viewed just being stored away as if they are manufactured goods.

2024-09-30 18:43:35 UTC

Huff's insight into his life reveals his vulnerability that him and most likely other former inmates struggle with life outside of prison. Admitting he isn't as tough as he thought provides the reader his honesty and the amount of self-reflection he has done over the years.

2024-09-30 18:43:38 UTC

An education can save a person a tremendous amount of time and energy that it would take to learn specific skills later in life.

2024-09-30 18:45:35 UTC

yes I do agree Howard likely emphasizes that prison is "not a rehabilitation center" but a "warehouse" to critique the American prison system suggesting it focuses more on containment than on reforming or rehabilitating individuals. By calling it a "warehouse," Howard means that the prison system's main goal is to store people rather than address the root causes of criminal behavior, offer rehabilitation, or prepare inmates for successful reintegration into society.

2024-09-30 18:45:39 UTC

Education is fundamental. Being educated on the simplest things give's you power. It's a powerful tool for personal growth and knowledgeable insights. You acquire critical thinking skills, that broadening your perspective on real life situation. Ensuring you learn right from wrong.

2024-09-30 18:46:05 UTC

Education is a timeless tool that can be used over and over again to help guide or shape someone into a better person. It challenges what they've once believed in and gives them a new perspective on many aspects of life, which can help with self-reflection.

2024-09-30 18:46:36 UTC

I agree with this because education can be a powerful tool for personal and social transformation, changing your life in prison and outside of prision

2024-09-30 18:47:09 UTC

I appreciate Huff honesty between paragraphs 25-27. His truthfulness gives good insight on how much he has grown and matured over his time incarcerated.

2024-09-30 18:47:16 UTC

Education seriously enhances a person’s ability to understand what is right and what is wrong. Many who may not be as educated may not understand law.

2024-09-30 18:47:26 UTC

Education can shift our perspectives and attitudes drastically, but only if we let it. In Moody's situation, he allowed education to provide him with new positive beginnings. Education can teach us how to better handle situations and navigate in the world, our only obstacle is our mind.

2024-09-30 18:47:27 UTC

Huff's revelation reveals his past and renewed mindset of those who lived a life of innocence. I appreciate his honesty because he admits that despite his yearning for betterment, there's still that side of him that needs to learn how to be humble, and we see that there's an internal conflict of his past and present colliding within him.

2024-09-30 18:47:39 UTC

In Paragraph 14, Howard emphasizes that prison is “not a rehabilitation center” but a “warehouse” to highlight the lack of focus on personal growth, education, or rehabilitation in many prisons. By using the term “warehouse,” he conveys the idea that prisons are primarily designed to confine people, storing them away from society rather than actively helping them reform or reintegrate into the community.

2024-09-30 18:47:40 UTC

I appreciate his honesty. His honesty and truth did give a valuable insight into his life and struggle cause as a man in jail he was forced to be hard and tough but when he got out he was smart and self aware enough to realize that he wasn't who he needed or wanted to be

2024-09-30 18:47:45 UTC

1 feel like it is harder trying to get ahead the lawful and more way. I feel like our system isn't set up to get us ahead but more to have us try to stay on track. Now breaking the law could get you ahead but the downsid to it is, when you get caught it will set you back farther.it will take years from your life and if you are realized it'll be hard to adjust to doing things civilly.

2024-09-30 18:48:29 UTC

Huff's reflection on his situation reveals the challenges of being in isolation and how hard it is to adjust into the normal world after being away for so long.

2024-09-30 18:48:55 UTC

Howard emphasizes this statement more because he says that the only way you change in prison is if YOU come to the realization to make the change. I agree with his statement because prison is only a place of confinement, they only feed you and take you out for air for an hour each every day. Unless you give yourself the time to think and reflect on your decisions, then that's when you should decide to change and become the better person you should want to be. Instead of being a convict, be a good convict.

2024-09-30 18:49:09 UTC

Huff’s statement, “it’s tough being a square,” reflects the challenges of living a lawful and moral life, especially for someone with a criminal past.

2024-09-30 18:49:45 UTC

Howard's statement of prison being a warehouse rather than a rehabilitation center is something I can agree with. Nobody in that building can help you more than you can help yourself. Unfortunately, American prison systems are not built to rehabilitate a person, only the person's actions to self-reflect make a true impact.

2024-09-30 18:49:46 UTC

His honesty really showed how prison opened his eyes. Prison was inhumane yet showed him the consequences to his actions and made him hide his emotions, but was introduced to a world where he can express his emotions.

2024-09-30 18:50:48 UTC

Howard emphasizes that prison is not a rehabilitation center to deter young people from making the mistake of assuming serving time would automatically reverse all of their problems. I agree with his statement as prisons are meant to serve as a punishment for their crimes and deter criminals to repeat their actions.

2024-09-30 18:50:57 UTC

I completely agree with the statement. We have failed our "inmates". Our country sees them as bad people so they are treated as so and made to believe that is all they will ever be. Prisons are meant to be "rehabilitation" centers, they are in no way rehabilitating. Just conforming.

2024-09-30 18:51:11 UTC

In the context of the article, Price’s observation that “having to bottle up his feelings for so long, made him a different man” suggests that the prison experience can deeply impact one’s identity.

2024-09-30 18:52:26 UTC

joy agoda

yes, I agree education can improve an individuals situation. For instnce, when going into school you are provided with resource that can enhance your knowledge, allow you to get oppurtunities that only education can offer, and help you elevate your life. without education your like a newborn baby

2024-09-30 18:52:46 UTC

The transition from prison life to a regulars citizen life is rough. You now have ex-convict written all over legal documents which makes it difficult to live a normal life. You're now viewed differently from the outside world. The system isn't made to help those who need it which actively makes it harder for those to transition out of prison life.

2024-09-30 18:53:05 UTC

I believe it's much more difficult to get ahead by breaking laws and committing crimes than following the laws because of the repercussions that come along with that decision. While breaking laws could be a much easier and faster way to get ahead it does not last and the negative impacts end up outweighing the positives. Breaking laws becomes a ticket to prison or even death in some cases. Getting ahead lawfully like obtaining a degree is something that can't be taken away from you and has more positive outcomes in life.

2024-09-30 18:53:07 UTC

Huff’s input about his struggles and how he is adjusting to outta prison lifestyle, represents how vulnerable he is becoming. It also shows how in-tuned with his emotions and comfortable he is with sharing them.

2024-09-30 18:53:27 UTC

Horace Mann gave education the best nickname. Education can improve one's situation by allowing them the opportunity to do major things with said education. With Moody enrolling in college classes while being indicted, when he was released he was able to help people who were once in his situation.

2024-09-30 18:54:39 UTC

education can improve a person situation because it gives a person knowledge and knowledge is the difference from knowing what's right and what's wrong and help them reflect when they do things that happen to be wrong

2024-09-30 18:54:54 UTC

I agree. However, many young men who have been incarcerated are put in prison to learn a lesson. In most cases, those who are convicted are guilty. People who lead respectable lives don’t look up to the incarcerated, but down.

2024-09-30 18:55:36 UTC

It's simply easier to be a bad person and make bad decisions. Especially if that's all you know. It truly depends on your environment and your mentors. Being taught the wrong things will hurt your character in the long run. And then having to reteach yourself morals and values always seems out of reach in these situations.

2024-09-30 18:55:40 UTC

Howard emphasizes the idea of prison being a warehouse to explain prison doesn't help provide you with an opportunity to move towards new beginnings. Instead, placement in prisons more so serve as a punishment. Despite this, inmates share knowledge and confide in each other making prison more similar to a warehouse, which stores products. Each individual in the environment processes information and it is shared when alliances are made.

2024-09-30 18:56:21 UTC

Education can improve a persons ability to determine what might be morally right and what's wrong. Education is knowledge and that is power.

2024-09-30 18:56:22 UTC

I do agree with Horace Mann's statement of education being "the great equalizer." There are many ways education can improve a person's situation. Not only does it allow for personal growth it also gives you access to many opportunities.

2024-09-30 18:57:03 UTC

Yes, it is far more difficult to pursue a lawful and moral life as you have to put all that you have into being a efficient, functioning member of society. Opposed to going out of your way to harm others, put yourself in mortal danger just for money or drugs, just to be eventually brought down by the law.

2024-09-30 18:58:00 UTC

yes i agree, because most prison are not designed to help the prisoners out. they are just designed to keep them inside the jail , not help them get better so they will be better when they get out.

2024-09-30 18:59:00 UTC

In spite of everyone in society not receiving an equal and fair education, it is by far an invaluable asset that is able to bring people out of poverty, immorality, and ignorance. Granting them unlimited opportunities as opposed to the amount of risk that come from a life of crime. Education can, without a doubt, improve a person's situation, but this is all dependent on if that person has the desire to learn and expand their mind.

2024-09-30 19:01:45 UTC

Education can improve a persons situation by opening their eyes to what they can achieve. People have this image in their heads that when you go to prison your life is over, but when you give inmates the tools to learn and exceed in education it gives them a boost of confidence.

2024-09-30 19:01:58 UTC

Huff’s admission give off the real side of him and how transparent he really is. He like to reflect on his past and show how much he’s grown in the process when it’s hard to mature in prison.

2024-09-30 19:02:11 UTC

I feel like education is not equal to everyone because everyone learns differently, and they are at different levels.

2024-09-30 19:02:34 UTC

It's completely possible to change your identity in a positive way. Rehabilitive efforts can make a change through showing you the way. Using moody as an example. He had access to education in his prison center. Something as simple as education opened his eyes. Affecting him positively. Showing him whatever persona, he had going before was never truly him.

2024-09-30 19:02:41 UTC

In the article Price notes that the transition from prison to normal life is difficult, understanding that you no longer need to put up a shield and can be vulnerable with your feeling is something that all prisoners have to learn once they get out. The adaptation to this change can be different for each depending on how much time they have spent in prison, those who have spent a longer time incarcerated will more likely take more time but the change in identity does not only pertain to their emotions like Price states but also their habits. Being in prison for so long they pick up certain habits for their survival in there and carry that out with them. So while the change in identity is possible it takes time to fully adjust.

2024-09-30 19:02:56 UTC

Howard emphasizes that prison is more of a warehouse than a rehabilitation center to show how the destiny of the inmates are completely up to them. Inmates have to wan that change for themselves rather than attempting to let prison change them.

2024-09-30 19:03:01 UTC

Unfortunately, in some circumstances, it's easier to get ahead unlawfully due to obstacles imposed on specific groups like women, men, African Americans, tourist, etc. However, regardless of stereotypes, it's not impossible to succeed following laws. It's safer and allows you to live without worry of being convicted for a crime.

2024-09-30 19:03:58 UTC

yes i do believe that it is more difficult to get ahead the lawful way. because anybody can steal or rob somebody to get ahead but not everybody can do the right thing and work hard to get ahead because when it gets hard people want to take the easy way out .

2024-09-30 19:05:08 UTC

I believe it is less difficult to get ahead the lawful, moral way because breaking the laws and hurting others could cost you your life. The system will do anything to keep you behind bars as soon as you’re caught disobeying any law. Though it SEEMS to be the easy way out, simply doing what’s right is not only reasonable but rewarding.

2024-09-30 19:05:38 UTC

I believe Howard emphasizes that prison is "not a rehabilitation center" but a "warehouse" because American prisons usually don't care about their inmates. It's like prisons only care for the containment of the inmates and not about the actual rehabilitation or how to reintegrate these people back into a normal society.

2024-09-30 19:05:46 UTC

Joy agoda.

Huff emphasizes that instead of a rehab center its more of a warehouse. Instead of prisooners its people working there constantly changing as there working th same job maybe

2024-09-30 19:06:05 UTC

Education can improve one’s situation a lot considering Education is fundamental. It’s the ksy of life, where would anyone get without being educated. Every subject has its importance in life but in some situations one more than the other but all together they forge a powerful mind.

2024-09-30 19:07:04 UTC

A person can absolutely change themselves and how they are as a person. Provided with the right resources and having the right mentality can have someone do a full 360. For example, Moody enrolling himself in college classes, sociology specifically, has helped him discover new parts of himself. It helped him reflect on the parts of himself that needed work.

2024-09-30 19:07:41 UTC

Of course, the more difficult way is the moral/lawful way. However, easy doesn't always mean better. Its easy to rob an old lady, but not as easy dealing with the repercussions of doing so.

2024-09-30 19:08:03 UTC

I believe you can change your identity. Rehabilitation can help you reshape yourself and your definition of what it means to "be a man." Huff also at the end of the article states that once you realize you're not who you really think you are. Once you realize this you must give yourself that effort to change for the better. Not only for yourself but for your friends, family, and the people who care about you.

2024-09-30 19:08:30 UTC

Education while being in prison can serve many different purposes. Not only does it improve their understanding of certain topics it also gives them time to reflect on their actions. Moody stated that "prison doesn't just slow down your path forward. It can also set you back" getting an education while being in prison is a way for the inmates to have something waiting for them when they get out giving them a sense of security.

2024-09-30 19:10:30 UTC

Yes, I agree. Prison is a warehouse, They store and barrier men and women in the walls of these prisons. In the Real American Jailing System, Prisons and Jails are becoming over crowded due to keeping inmates hostage. Some Inmate deserved a speedy trial like the amendments grant them and others in some cases who are on the death penalty should actually be executed instead of the innocent people who are executed to make space.

2024-09-30 19:10:31 UTC

I agree because of the living conditions there. Also, prisoners are forced to work for no money.

2024-09-30 19:10:43 UTC

I believe that Howard emphasizes that prison is more of a "warehouse" and not "a rehabilitation center", because while in theory, a prison is meant to be a system for criminals to be integrated into society; It fails. The US has one of the largest prison populations in the world, and instead of being seen as people, what Howard is trying to say by calling prison a "warehouse" is that these prisoners are just seen as numbered items, waiting to be stocked or shipped away. The prison itself doesn't actually incentivize them to change and improve, that comes from their own part. So yes, I agree with Howard's statement.

2024-09-30 19:13:12 UTC

It is harder to get ahead committing crimes because even through the system doesn’t help us outside of prison it really doesn’t help you inside. Then when you get outside your not only farther away from where you should be, but also have this “bad guy” label on you because of your past.

2024-09-30 19:14:00 UTC

Huff's admission should just how vulnerable he felt. He realized how hard it was to try and fit in. He went from thinking that he was on top to being unable to adapt to what most people do everyday. It shows how they shift in the way that the think and try to adapt to there new life.

2024-09-30 19:14:02 UTC

In the context of this article, it is possible to reshape your identity, as Price and the other men had to "redefine what it means to be soft, and what it means to be strong.". Rehabilitation can challenge previous established repression and help former inmates through other difficulties.

2024-09-30 19:14:15 UTC

Yes i believe u can change your identity it just takes the ability to recognize that u need change. Then the effort and grit to change your self for the better. for price he realized it because of his friend and family.

2024-09-30 19:15:29 UTC

Joy Agoda,

I think its pretty easy to get ahead lawfully breaking the law will always come back to you its just the sense of having self control and morals. Wrongs will never make a right just how giving evil will not grant good

2024-09-30 19:16:03 UTC

I do believe it is possible to mask your identity, but not change it. Felton says “ ‘Wait a minute — I can smile!’ “ as if he’d been hiding himself underneath the thick layer of toxic masculinity he was forced to endure while he was incarcerated. Felton seeing the world the way it is, finally being exposed to reality is enough of a rehabilitation effort for him to realize that prison ways are not the only way.

2024-09-30 19:16:17 UTC

Huff reveals that his eyes were opened when shifting from prison life to everyday life. He reveals his feelings of being a fraud going from thinking you're superman to not even a man. His vulnerability gives us insight into the true battle that is faced being in prison; you versus your mind.

2024-09-30 19:16:35 UTC

Yes, I agree most prisons are not specially designed to rehabilitate center but it is specified to hold many people that have done wrong. So, in technical terms a jail is a major holding system.

2024-09-30 19:17:01 UTC

He only believes that being a square is harder, but it might not be easier to follow the law because the way the system is set up he might do anything to survive.

2024-09-30 19:17:04 UTC

Joy agoda

Yes, appreciate his honesty, he may-be a delusional man. But atleast hese come to term with his situation. Along with his musing it really did allow me to have a valuable insight on his life. I felt how he felt for a small second

2024-09-30 19:18:28 UTC

Changing your identity can pertain to so little as shifting your perspective. Different obstacles and circumstances shape who we are and how we react. Being surrounded by people who have similar issues or being alone can open us up to different views while keeping people mostly out of trouble. For example, Keith Moody explained, "'It definitely gave me a lot of time to think." "I've been proclaiming to be a father, proclaiming to be a man. But whole time, everything I ever done was for myself." showing that being isolated can remind people of the value of freedom and encourage them to live accordingly.

2024-09-30 19:18:47 UTC

I appreciate his honesty. His musings did give me insight to his life because they were so transparent.

2024-09-30 19:18:59 UTC

The way I see it this can go either way because it might be easier to break laws and do crime for personal gain will get you ahead in the short term, but by doing so often leads to trouble with the law and other consequences which will set you back leading to a bad snowball effect. Whereas seeking after a more lawful and honest approach will take longer but will be more beneficial in the long-term offering more stability and no trouble with the law or any bad consequences.

2024-09-30 19:19:15 UTC

Due to the way our society is constructed, some people and groups of people are born handicapped by the predispositions and motions set in place throughout history. And because of these factors, unfortunately, it's more difficult to get ahead in a lawful, moral way than simply breaking laws and committing crimes.

2024-09-30 19:20:32 UTC

Once again this goes back to what Moody said, you have to want your identity to change more than anybody else. Ways to do so is going to a Reentry Transition Center where you can find people like Moody who can help you.

2024-09-30 19:20:39 UTC

I believe he describes is as a “warehouse” because they treat inmates as “property” than a person. Transporting them to where they fit in, dictating on what they do and when. It’s like their treating inmates like products and not thinking about helping them through whatever their going through and why or how they got to where they are.

2024-09-30 19:21:43 UTC

No, You can’t get a head by committing crimes.

2024-09-30 19:21:45 UTC

Howard saying that prison isn't a "rehabilitation center" was something I agree with. Many of the people that end up in prison don't change, they continue to make the same decisions that landed them in prison in the first place. Other though do realize their mistakes and are willing to change and improve themselves. Calling prison a "warehouse" was spot on, it can't force a person to change. Prison is just a place that contains them its up to each individual if the want to make a positive change.

2024-09-30 19:27:02 UTC

In paragraph 20 Huff states, "Everybody out here is so soft," When these people are just not committing crimes. Rehabilitative efforts can make a positive chance.

2024-09-30 19:27:02 UTC

Yes, you can definitely change your identity if there is a willingness or strong enough will to change. For example, Price used to view softness as a sign of weakness, however, after he got out of prison his view of what exactly defined softness and strength changed because of friends and family-his loved ones. And for many of us, loved ones are not only what guides and gives us reason in life, but allow us to heal and change.

2024-09-30 19:29:08 UTC

Changing your identity is definitely possible but it is a very difficult process. Rehabilitative efforts can do so much helping individuals redefine themselves. Like Huff said " It's devastating. On the one hand, you've been thinking all this time that you're Superman, or God, or something. now you find out you're not even a man." Showing how he once seen himself and this big man when he was in prison but once he got out, he realized he was none of that.

2024-10-01 12:25:32 UTC

Huff's honesty in admitting his struggle in readjusting in the world and being square showed how he's truly trying to make a change and be better than he was before. I appreciate that he was truthfully vulnerable about it and