Dear Maddy and #End The Exception group:

I will start by explaining my various jobs during my incarceration. I started out working on the Bocci-ball court which was a job I really didn’t like. I didn’t know what I was supposed to do and thus received a lot of complaints. I was then switched to sweeping sidewalks. This job just didn’t make much sense to me. I would try to wait till it was closer to time for everyone to leave the yeard but my supervisor wanted me to sweep sidewalks the whole time. Currently I work on the Softball Field, officiate the softball games, run the softball program as commissioner, and am the Assistant Detail Clerk. All of this is through the Recreation Department. I only get Grade 2 pay which amounts to about $60.00 a month if I get 170 hours and a $10.00 bonus. I make $0.29/hour. However, I really do enjoy the work I do which is the only reason I do all of it for so little.

I imagine a lot of people would not understand how much politics affect prison jobs. In essence, discriminaiton is extremely common, if you know the right people you could get a job easier. Also, people will often offer to pay or do favors if you help get them jobs. This makes it hard on the small man/woman to get a job as there are such a limited number of jobs available. I won’t lie, I got my job because the right person had a “crush” on me. I keep my job because I truly work.

I look at the amendment and wonder how the exception has been around so long. I think about how much easier it would make it to reach my goals if I were paid minimum wage. I know I wouldn’t have to hustle to make a full dollar just to stay in touch with my family. There are many things that this very simple amendment could do to eliminate many issues for incarcerated individuals. It would also go a long way in helping with rehabilitation. I know several people that don’t even try to have jobs simply because of how low the pay is. The simple amendment brings me HOPE that I might truly reach all my goals while incarcerated.

As for being an active member of the campaign. I’ve never partcipated in anything like this but would be interested in helping in anyway I can. I like to write so maybe I could help write for the campaign. I am interested in helping because I truly believe the campaign has an end goal that will help many of millions of people in the end. Just the short article in Black and Pink was enough to get me excited and make me want to help. I would like to learn more about how I can help and the different ways. I might help.

I will end this letter here for now. Please feel free to ask for any more information you desire and let me know how i can further help the campaign. 

Respectfully Submitted  

Robert A