I went to prison for a story. Here are 9 ideas

welcome! Where are you, you ask. I call it “Weekend 9”. Think of it as a warm-up spot for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. We will have ideas. We will have tips. We will have tweets. But there are only nine in total, although sometimes there may be more and sometimes there may be less. As for who I am? The following paragraphs tell some of the story. You can contact me: nick.piastowski@golf.com.

Why did you want to write this story?

This is a very good question. I usually have no trouble answering this question because you go to a place where you have at least some idea of ​​what’s going to happen. Like the Masters? Because this is the Masters. Very easy. Everyone understands this. But as I stood before a dozen inmates and a warden at the jail, I paused. I encourage this question – I’m just asking: What do you want to know about me? The query in the paragraph above was the first query I received.

To recap, this week, a story appeared on GOLF.com titled “‘I Never Thought I’d Play Golf, Let alone in Prison’: Here, Golf Offers a Second Chance.” In one sentence, this story is about how a Washington state prison is using golf as a rehabilitation tool—but it would take me a few paragraphs to fully explain what it all means. Maybe you are thinking:

What does that look like?

How did it start?

Should prisoners be allowed to play golf in prison? Do they deserve rehabilitation? Or should they be punished?

Why write this?

This took a while to answer. I want to say the right thing. I thought, this is my chance to connect. I didn’t go there to hear stories. I’m there to share it.

I remember saying this:

“Because you’re all playing golf, too.”

A few days later, they did, and GOLF.com videographer Darren Riehl and I were invited to participate. Cedar Creek Golf Club plays on its home course, an old softball field at the Cedar Creek Corrections Center, where it hits some tee shots through a 15-foot chain-link fence. CCGC also played their first “real” game in a one-day outing at home in Washington. Sometimes, they also wanted to see us take a hit, and we did—we got called names, and we called them names. (More on that later.)

All of this is golf, right?

That being the case, it’s possible that some prisoners might adopt some of the principles of the game that the romantics of the sport believe in. That’s what Cedar Creek Prison Superintendent Tim Thrasher thought when he launched the program.

It all sounds like a story.

With that, I’m going to change things up this weekend at 9. There will still be a mix of items – some light and some not so light. But today, if you’ll let me, they’re all clustered around Cedar Creek Golf Club.

Let’s see if we can find eight more.

2. If you’re unfamiliar with the story, you can read it here .

You can watch it below.

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3. As part of the story, I interviewed Professor Kimora, a full-time adjunct professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York who has studied and worked in prisons around the world. One question I asked her was why golf wasn’t played in more prisons. Here’s her answer.

“It actually helps people. I’m just going to be blunt. Rehabilitation is not a big part of this country. I taught in prisons and jails for over 30 years. … This country doesn’t believe in rehabilitation when it comes to corrections. What it does believe in is a lot of punishment, thinking it’s going to make someone better, but it doesn’t. Research proves that.”

“Rehabilitation, if done right, is a good thing for everyone because it helps build character. It helps build people. It gives them a sense of taking responsibility and making amends for the problems they’ve caused others. That’s why we’re more interested in restorative justice; that’s a whole other topic. But I We don’t have enough programs like golf where it means trusting people that they’re actually going to get better, and it’s sad to say that they just don’t think about the punitive stuff and it’s sad to watch.”

4. Another reason Thrasher started this program?

For him and his staff.

According to an article on the Ministry of Justice website, the average life expectancy of prison staff is 59 years. The average life expectancy of non-prison staff is 75 years.

“Golf is a minor byproduct of this,” Thrasher said. “It’s about golf, but that’s not it. It’s about enhancing the interactions of incarcerated people and staff. Interactions, just improving those communications. The environment in which we work can be negative, and sometimes it is, but every interaction doesn’t have to be negative. So that enhances communication. Yeah, it’s nice that they might Will learn a new hobby – that’s another reason. But I have an inherent belief that a program like this – can enhance communication, reduce idleness, can do all of these things – reduce the tension in the environment, and I hope that ultimately helps employees feel less stressed when they leave.

“The studies are different and the numbers are a little different, but correctional officers are all living under 60 years old. Part of that is the stress of the job, so if we can do a program like this that reduces stress on the environment and extends longevity, that’s one of the other motivations for doing it.”

5. What is it really like in prison?

Although Cedar Creek is located in the Washington Forest, it is quiet most of the time. (Literally, there was zero cell reception.) People also played a lot of pickleball, and one day we were there, some inmates were taking their GED tests. There are occasional issues, but interactions between prisoners and guards are mostly calm. Thrasher said he tried to remember every inmate’s name.

Cedar Creek also has a program where inmates help rehabilitate sea turtles – you can read more about it here – and a photo of one of the sea turtles can be found below.

6. In the story, I wrote this:

Should ex-prisoners be allowed to play golf with prison wardens?

Brandon has. He played at CCGC while incarcerated, and on a recent Sunday afternoon he played nine holes with Thrasher on the actual course. He was nervous; it was the first time he’d actually played golf in years, and, as he put it, “When you’re part of the underworld, you just don’t have time to play golf.” Brandon was dressed like a tour pro—red Titleist hat, white polo shirt, blue pants—though Thrasher wondered if the patriotic outfit was a homage to the late Hulk Hogan.

Thrasher, who had a single-digit handicap, also told Brandon on the sixth tee that if he could beat him on just one hole on the approach, he would give him a T-shirt he had recently made for the CCGC. Thrasher’s first shot found water; Brandon lay down. The game begins. But Brandon’s second shot also found water after heading the ball. Then he cut one. Thrasher grabbed his phone and pressed play. David Bowie and Freddie Mercury start singing.

pressure

on me

on you

no one asked for

under pressure

You might be wondering, though: Did I capture this on video?

Yes, I did it. It’s below.

7. There’s more to Brandon and Thrasher’s round.

On the second hole of our round, on my second shot, I propped the ball up. I do this often. My friends do the same. The usual line is “It’s winter somewhere”, referring to “Winter Rules”. But as Brandon sat on a cart a few yards behind me, he said:

“I can’t believe you cheated in front of the police.”

Therefore, the CCGC takes the Rules of Golf very seriously.

8. At Cedar Creek we were also asked to participate in a pitching competition. I won. My prize?

Loofah.

Thrasher awards toiletries during the contest – which is appreciated as personal items are limited – the largest of which is a loofah. I let the runner-up take it, though.

9. Did we talk trash? Yes.

After a round at the family course, I asked one of the inmates, Rod Lun, for some thoughts, and here’s our exchange. I apologize for the language.

10. Let’s do 10 things.

If you’re interested in watching a movie with similar themes to what happened at Cedar Creek, watch “Sing Sing.” It features a theater program for inmates at Sing Sing Correctional Facility in New York.

11. Let’s do 11 items.

Several people asked how they could help the program. To do this, please send an email to nick.piastowski@golf.com and I can help you get in touch with the prison.

12. Let’s do 12 things.

I spoke with Thrasher on Wednesday afternoon, a few hours after our Cedar Creek content was published.

He said Tejuan, one of the main “characters” in the story and video, was brought to his office by Tejuan’s therapist and they watched the video together. After a few minutes, Tejuan began to cry. He’s excited for people to watch it.

Afterward, the therapist told Thrasher that this was why the therapist did what he did.