Senior Sociology II
students take a close look at life in prison
For
almost 10 years, Mr. Tom Baker has been taking his senior Sociology II students
to visit the Omaha Correctional Center, often referred to as the OCC. The OCC
sits on a 37-acre site in east Omaha, south of Epply Airfield and is the
largest correctional facility in Omaha. The OCC is an all male medium/minimum
security facility, housing an average of 699 inmates and 177 staff members.
On
Oct. 30, seniors in block H Sociology II got the chance to go on the annual
prison visit. Accompanied by moderator
Ms. Pat Travis, the group of 24 had the opportunity to go on a tour of the
facility and have a group discussion with two of the inmates.
The
prison visit has many advantages, all in favor for the students. Visiting the
OCC not only gives students a feel of what a criminal justice major may be
like, it also applies all theories taught in Sociology II.
“The
visit is a vital part of Sociology II, the experience is surreal, because you
are there,” said Baker.
The
surreal-ness of the experience often opens the eyes of many students, who may
not be familiar with the criminal justice system and the way things work.
“I
expected jail to be like it is portrayed in movies. I thought that the
prisoners would literally be behind steel bars confined in one room, all day,
every day, but after talking to the inmates and having a tour, I realized that
they are real people too,” said senior Shannon McNeil.
Baker
set high expectations for what he what he hoped each student would take away
from this visit.
“Everything
talked about in class was put into practice [by doing the prison visit]. An
intimate awareness of jail, the treatment of inmates and [the knowledge
of]…where [tax] money goes,” said Baker, are all things that he hoped students
would take away from this visit.
Many
students appeared to be appreciative of the OCC visit, “The prison visit was an
awesome experience! I learned a lot, I never realized how many different
programs they offered for inmates,” said senior Maria Finocchiaro.
By
doing the prison visit, block H Sociology II seniors and all the past years
seniors were given what some may call a once in a lifetime experience. Not only
were they able to tour the facility as it is in its everyday existence, they
got the opportunity to have face-to-face conversation with someone currently
living their life behind bars.
Although
there are no signs of canceling future OCC visits, it is evident that if that
were the case many would be disappointed.
“I would be so angry [if the prison visit was ever cancelled] because we
had the chance to talk to people that are really in prison,” said senior Beth
Worthington.
Baker’s
feeling also seemed to be in agreement with Worthington’s, saying “I would be
upset, the visit is so valuable in so many ways. If you just look at how the
students reacted after the visit, everyone was so excited, I didn’t even have to lead the class discussion, the class just took
over!”
Random Facts about the Omaha Correctional Center
*Security Level: Medium and Minimum
*Population on Average: 699
*Number of Staff Members: 177
*Cost per inmate per year: $19,309
*The Omaha Correctional Center has several
Programs to help the inmate improve their lives:
*Mental Health Counseling
*ABE/GED classes
*College Courses
*Substance Abuse Counseling
*Alcoholics Anonymous
*Self Betterment Clubs
*Volunteer Activities
*Pre-Release Programs
*English as a Second Language
Facts obtained from
http://www.corrections.state.ne.us/institutions/occ.html.