What's in a Cell?

Some say that a man (or woman) in a cell needs to be contained, deprived. Others say punished; hard time will keep him from coming back. Labels like predator, sociopath, felon, criminal, or worse often fall into the mix. The story then reveals what we think we should do about these people out there, locked up. Policy exacts revenge through humiliation, degradation, and dehumanization. Don't let them have books, tools, classes, rights, or any kind of opportunity, we say. Or, given another scenario, those men and women might be seen as human beings who committed a crime, made mistakes, stupid decisions. If they have to do the time, why not make the time count for something? Why not work on changing whatever it was that contributed to their being in prison in the first place? Most inmates are where they are, in part, because of trauma of some kind. Poverty, violence, broken families, and drug abuse all contribute to time spent in prison. If inmates experience more trauma in prison, then they will likely return to what they already know when they get out. The worse we treat them, the more likely they will be back. The "tough prison" policy doesn't work. What's in a cell is a work in progress, a malleable human being, that can learn.  We could send them to school, give them job and business training, opportunities for creative expression, chances to learn how to cooperate and work together, or connect with families. Respect, trust, and skills can all contribute to men and women giving all that back and more if they get to practice. Practice makes better, if not perfect, no?