Inspire, Summer 2000

Tip explained that he recruited Cedarville people because of their character."I wanted people who would be willing to help us work out our procedures and follow directions.As a group they did a good job. We learned a lot, and they learned a lot. The alumni who served as inmates agree with Tip;they found the experience to be very educational."I have a new understanding of the life ofa minimum security prisoner," said Margaret. Emily was surprised at how her previous impression of prison life was so far from reality. "It wasn't what I perceived jail to be like. It resembled a camp atmosphere. We were allowed to walk around the pod and talk with the other inmates." A sense of adventure and curiosity along with a desire to serve others is what made Emily and Margaret offer their time as inmates."I saw it as a community service. I also thought it would be interesting to experience the life ofa convict," explained Margaret. "It sounded like something fun to do," said Emily."I thought it might be beneficial down the road in case I would be involved in ajail ministry or something ofthat sort. I figured it might help me relate to those who have really had this type of experience." Different experiences resulted in different emotions for the inmates. For Margaret,the worst part of the experience was "the feeling that I was being watched all the time." Emily found herself wondering how she'd feel if this was not a pretend scenario."The fact that you are all free to walk around and intermingle might somewhat scare me if I was a real inmate and had to spend a length of time there," she Lt. Tip Link '85 monitors prisoners via video at the new Greene County Adult Detention Facility in Xenia, Ohio.Although thejail is a minimal security area, its surveillance equipment is state-of-the-art, and the officers must be trained in the technology's proper use, as well as appropriate handling ofpotentially volatile situations. shared."I would hope no one would take my belongings or that they wouldn't gang up on me."Emily also imagined what the deputies'lives will be like when real prisoners occupy the facility."I'm glad I'm not one of the deputies that has to watch the inmates.I am not so sure I would like to be the only one exposed to 30-plus inmates without bars separating us." The pretend prisoners participated in several potential scenarios including a fire drill,jail-style recreation, and meals.As a result of their efforts, the deputies learned a lot. "We worked out a lot of bugs in our procedures.Wefound a couple ofthings that we have fixed and once we get actual inmates in there it should function correctly," Tip said. In addition to all of this, the College department of communication arts produced an orientation video for the facility."Every incoming inmate will view this Cedarville College-produced video," said Tip.(Afew students performed some of the actual scenes.)"I try to use the resources ofthe College in assisting in my line of work as much as possible." Margaretand Emily take a break in the recreation room, which is surrounded by a doublefence barrier topped with razor wire. Inspire 17