Why We Need to Go to "Prison": Part 3

Some final thoughts on my shark tank experience at Dixon Correctional Center...

When is the last time you got out of your comfort zone? When did you do something that made you think at a deeper level? Say what you want about reading whatever type of book you read to get better, listening to a podcast, or going to a conference, there is nothing more powerful than physically putting yourself in a situation that gives you a different perspective.

I knew the experience of going into a prison to listen to the dreams of men incarcerated there would most likely be moving or impactful, but little did I know it would be so damn inspirational and challenging.

I was nervous and conflicted about going. It brought up many things I have not thought of in a while. One big one, for example, is what is the value of a life? Most of these men are in for a violent crime, a large percentage of them for killing someone. And no matter how sorry, how messed up their situation was, how rehabilitated they are, there is another side to this reality. Someone else is suffering or dealing with a great loss or life event because of their actions. When is that “repaid”? When is one forgiven? This is a tough question. To be honest, I held grudges for years against people in high school for little stuff. I would like to say that I’ve extended grace, forgiven, and hope for the best for everyone now that I have some life perspective and a deeper faith, but I don’t know.

But prison was a whole different universe. What I do know is that these men are trying. They are trying to take their brokenness and the anguish they have caused and redeem it somehow. I was inspired by their efforts and the way they were choosing to live a life with purpose no matter if they are in or out of prison. To choose to make this kind of a change takes courage to face the pain and be honest about who you are and who you want to become, and it requires commitment to stay the course—especially in an environment that is not kind or comfortable to those incarcerated. 

As I walked out of the prison that day, I was thinking about all of this, and I have continued to think about these things for the last several months. I believe in redemption, but redemption and forgiveness, although painful, are also freeing. It’s freeing to be forgiven for the things you can’t go back and change, and it’s freeing in the sense that as long as you are upright, you have a choice every day to be better.

Today some of those guys woke up in prison and realized they have a choice. Will they continue to be better even though their past is a heavy burden and their environment is always a reminder of it? I hope so. And I hope when that when you and I get up, no matter what, we will choose to be better in any way that we can. The only other choice is allowing ourselves to be unredeemed, unforgiven, and in a prison that holds back all of our potential.

Be better—the world needs you.