[nfb-talk] Question about Working in the Prison System

[Francisco Salvador Crespo]

Hello Sarah.


Since there are blind judges in the US, they had to treat witr prisoners to interrogate them. If they were successful as judges you should be able to do it in your rol.
Please check with the blind lawyers division for references.

Best.

Enviado desde mi iPhone

> El 11 feb 2018, a las 14:20, Meyer, Sarah Katherina via nfb-talk <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org> escribió:
> 
> Please respond to her directly because she isn't necessarily subscribed to this list.
> 
> Dave
> 
> 
> 
> Hi David,
> Could you please forward the following  message out to any relevant listservs?
> 
> I'm writing to see if anyone has any experience working in highly secure, criminal justice settings like jails/prisons, and if so, has also encountered any hesitance from employers to be allowed access for volunteering or employment due to safety concerns.
> 
> I am currently in the process of applying to co-facilitate a grief and loss psychoeducational group at a men's correctional facility in New Castle, Indiana, as a component of my Practicum in Counseling, and was originally rejected because the supervisors decided without discussing with me first that it would be too risky/unsafe for me as a blind person, among other uncertainties about accommodations. I had a successful meeting with one of the doctoral supervisors in which I believe I convinced him that my safety is my responsibility, just as any other therapist's safety is his/her responsibility, but they still want me to meet with the faculty supervisor, who seems to have some reservations.
> 
> I don't know if it makes a difference or not, but I think the prison is privately owned rather than state-run. Also, apparently, a guard is supposed to be posted in the room with the offenders and the co-facilitators, but this hardly ever happens in practice. I asked if there has ever been an incident of violence with the co-facilitators, and the supervisor said that to his knowledge, there has not.
> 
> I can empathize with their desire to protect everyone, but I definitely feel they are singling me out because of my blindness. I also don't know what to say if they were to ask, what if someone takes your cane and snaps it to use it as a weapon? I will admit this makes me a tiny bit nervous, but I'm sure that the offenders are all aware of the consequences of becoming violent, and I am an adult and can take responsibility for myself, blind or sighted.
> 
> If anyone has any advice or guidance, feel free to contact me at the contact info below.
> 
> Best wishes,
> 
> Sarah
> 
> Sarah K. Meyer, B.A.
> Masters Student, Clinical Mental Health Counseling
> Department of  Counseling Psychology, Social Psychology, and Counseling
> Ball State University
> Phone: (317) 402-6632
> Email: skmeyer at bsu.edu
> 
> 
> 
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