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O The Other Side Of The Wall The Prison System He was on his knees, the scrub brush in his hand almost scratching out a melody as it glided across the parquet floor. Was that a smile on his face - even enthusiasm? It was! The setting was Logan, the new medium security prison at Lincoln, 111. The man was an inmate to be known hereafter only as X. He was standing straighter; he was speaking confidently; and his demeanor gave evidence of new hope in the future and gratitude for events of recent weeks. X, a first offender, was experiencing his initial days out of Pontiac maximum security prison and the soft-spoken, former McHenry county resident was feeling the thrill of something he described as "next to freedom". "When I think of Pontiac I scrub twice as hard", he mused as he worked to prepare the old mental hospital facilities for its twenty-five inmates and others to come. His smile was broad and his eyes sparkled as he joked, "Why, just the other day I was painting a wall, just daydreaming, when suddenly I realized the wet, yellow blob before my eyes was my hand". Then he smiled again and looked down. "Greetings from Paradise" was the way he described his feelings to Mrs. Mildred Eckart, a McHenry woman who serves with the Ministry of Criminal Justice, a Community of Upholding Persons (C.U.P.) in McHenry county. About thirty of them become acquainted with the prisoners and keep in touch with work resources. Part of their service is to support the men and their families so they may one day take their place again in their home communities. Only a sensitive person who suddenly finds himself an enemy of society can appreciate the difference between Pontiac and Logan. X was-and is~a sensitive person in spite of the crime that placed him behind bars. After thirty-two years spent as a good citizen, including an honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy, a false courage stimulated by alcohol prompted him to enter into a criminal act. Armed with a gun, he walked into a service station in neigh boring Woodstock and demanded money. His arrest was followed by a guilty verdict and almost before he was aware of fast moving events, he was in prison. Unbelievable, he feels, that for his first crime he was placed with the hardest of criminals, many incarcerated for murder and rape. Depressed and uncertain of his sentence due to a human error in his appeal, he often poured forth his misery in a daily written account of his existence while in Pontiac. "The atmosphere is so different in the visiting room", be once wrote. "In here, every minute is a chance, new knowing when a pipe will crack your skull open - for do particular reason - just to break the monotony. It's sad". Hard words to introduce a first offender. ' They also introduce correctional facilities in the stale which are in a crisis. But that's another story, one that tells of an average daily population of 10,500, highest in the state's history and an increase by 70 percent in four years. X tells one story he feels is characteristic of thoee miserable days in Pontiac, a happening that under other circumstances would have been insignificant. After a particularly hard rainfall, the men were outside ready to "In here, every minute is a chance, never knowing when a pipe will crack your skull open--for no particular reason- just to break the monotony. It's sad". take part in a game of horseshoes, one of the few diversions available to them. After the previous night's rain, X had dug out water from around the stake with a paper plate and arranged the dirt so they could play. Even this small display of spirit seemed to inspire his fellow inmates and they began to help. The second day he asked the guard for something to scoop out a larger accumulation of water. He was offered a spoon. The complete desolation of his situation was contained in a brief diary account of Aug. 16,1977, in which he said: "It's a constant struggle to survive. Nerves on the breaking point - a keg of dynamite with a smoldering fuse. They go before anyone even realizes it. '"Hiis is constantly preying on the mind, constantly watching for a strange movement of men, gangs clustering, the quiet before the storm. "On two occasions I was on the galley where pipes and knives flashed through the air. There was nothing I could do, nowhere to go since the gates were locked. I made myself small and melted into the wall and went unnoticed." But good news sometimes comes even in prison, and for X it was the day he learned of his impending transfer. Swabbing sweat from his eyes, he observed that it must have been 100 degrees in the cell. The next moment he decided he didn't really mind too much and in his excitement he remembers shouting, "I'm alive aren't I? The sun is shining and I know so many good things will happen to me in the months to follow". Since his prison term began he and his wife have been alienated, and only one of his children has been allowed to visit him. But whatever else prison life has meant to this very penitent, convicted robber, there has come hope out of despair; faith out of disbelief; serenity out of restlessness. He has gathered an inner peace and new spirit, by his own admission, through reading the book, Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude. He is even planning ahead to a new life when his prison term comes to an end, and alcohol, he declares, will have no part in it. Living in comparative isolation has also taught him to delve deep into his consciousness for an answer. He seriously questions whether that answer comes through time spent in prison. X believes incarcerating an individual for years creates "a nightmare for him, chaos in his family life and a bitter person to walk the streets later in life". He feels he has been short changed. This young man questions himself - "Where does one begin to correct the prison system?" And he answers his own question -- "with the people". X points to Minnesota, which has taken steps to alter overcrowded conditions in their institutions by offering an extensive restitution and work release program as an alternative to jail. He talks of Washington state, which is also experimenting with the relatively new concept of crime prevention. This county prisoner believes first offenders should be allowed these opportunities and is confident the number of repeat offenders would be reduced. "Rehabilitation is a dream of the past", he asserts. "The negative approach to offenders - first offenders - creates repeat offenders". "It's a constant struggle to survive. Nerves on the breaking point - a keg of dynamite with a smoldering fuse. They go before anyone even realizes it". Even today, although bitterness has left him, he believes repeat offenders are products of misunderstanding and uncaring officials. "How much longer will this continue until a positive approach is made to help men with problems?" he asks, adding, "After all, we are all humans, even here". Crime - the kind of crime he is talking about - is conversation, and prisons are popular as indicated by the number of broadcast hours devoted to discussion and debates on their problems. In spite of this fact, prisons today are far removed from society and the prevailing attitude is "out of sight, out of mind". The public is incredibly disinterested. But what about this public that has become increasingly alarmed to walk the streets, to take public transportation, and even to remain in their homes without locking the doors? X, who long ago lost faith in the prison system and in government officials, looks to these people for a solution. But some of them, who are aware, know the problem is too big to solve as individuals. Others are totally unaware, or indifferent to life behind prison walls. It is enough, the public seems to be saying, to look after one's self In the meantime, the problem continues and is compounded by the number and severity of crimes. The average citizen finds life filled with his own responsibilities. He looks with fear and resentment on fellowmen who are jailed for a lack of responsibility for their own actions. * Unfortunately, the prison windmills are not only of the mind but of the body and spirit. The quality of life in these United States is not apt to improve until some better system of criminal justice is found. * 110 TE41S * THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER SERVING THE CHAIN-O-LAKES REGION SINCE 1875 VOLUME 103 NUMBER 5 WEPNESPAY, AUGUST 16, 1978 2 SECTIONS 24 PAGES 20* Make Arrest In Murder Head-QnyCollision Kills Area Woman; Three Hurt Benefit Dance For Rescue Squad Postal window clerk, Mary Anne Dettmer, reads sample letter sent by Father Matt Rauen, associate pastor of St. John's Catholic church, Johnsburg. in behalf of the twenty-sixth anniversary benefit for the Johnsburg Rescue squad. The event will be held at the Johnsburg community club hall Saturday, Aug. 26, with dancing from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD A head-on collision on Randall road in Kane county claimed the life of a Johnsburg woman Friday night. According to state police, Mrs Agnes Haralson, 65, 1607 W Sunnyside Beach, was pronounced dead on arrival at Sherman hospital where she was taken following the two-car accident that occurred at 11:15 p m just three-tenths of a mile north of Illinois Route 72. Mrs. Haralson was a passenger in a car driven by her husband, Robert, which was reportedly southbound on Randall road, when it was struck head-on by a car driven by Lucien E Angelo of Elgin According to police reports, investigation revealed that the Mutin' and Meanderin' Proposition 13 IWA Topic Some weeks - but not often -- the news we hear and read about makes us feel good This is one of those weeks The Johnsburg Rescue squad is making plans for its twenty- sixth anniversary dance As it does, some members will surely recall one of the most heartwarming stories to come out of the squad's long, proud history, even though they were not part of this particular ac­ tion. Just twenty-two years ago on the day of this year's dance, Aug 26, 1956, the squad received a call that will forever be a part of its record. It in­ volved a little girl later to become known as the "miracle child" The Mike Shannon family, with eight girls and three boys, lived along the river near Johnsburg This particular morning one-year-old Elizabeth had been placed in her crib on the lawn. However, a chance look toward the water by her five-year-old sister, Lois, disclosed that the baby had crawled onto the pier. By the time Mother Shannon reached the spot, Elizabeth was in the water. The Johnsburg Rescue squad recovered her and used three tanks of oxygen to revive the little girl they later called "miracle child"> Elizabeth won't be present for this month's dance, but she and other members of her family visited here last week and she recounted stories told (Continued an page 16) "Implications of California Proposition 13" is the topic of the afternoon program to be presented by Eli Lipschultz, Department of Health, Education and Welfare, at the District II, Illinois Welfare association meeting Friday, Aug. 18, at Crescent Bay Landing, 3309 North Chapel Hill road, McHenry The morning program. "Women's Growth and Development in a Dynamic World" will feature Ann Borg, program director. YWCA, Lombard Registration and coffee are at 9:30a m followed by a short business meeting at 10 a.m. Adjournment will be at 3 p.m One need not be a member of the Illinois Welfare association to attend, however, reser vations for the day are needed. The Illinois Welfare association is an organization for people who want to get first hand knowledge of the issues in the health and welfare fields It is open to the general public. Reservations to the August meeting may be made by calling the McHenry County Department of Public Aid, 338- 0234, Extension 37. Farm Bureau 'Write Back" McHenry County Farm Bureau has started a "Write Back" campaign among its members The legislative committee, headed by Elmer Hill, has compiled a list of what appears to be major resolutions issues and is asking farmers to respond to the presentation when they receive it in the mail this week "We have issues of local, state and national nature," said Hill, Union. "This is our intense effort to obtain the views of farmers so we can compile tentative resolutions to be presented at the annual meeting on Sept 11 "At the annual meeting members will have the op­ portunity to discuss issues presented and also to bring up any pertinent matter of con­ cern to them , from the floor Resolutions on local issues that are adopted become the guiding directives for our County Farm Bureau board and administrative staff" Resolutions on state or national issues are forwarded to the Illinois agricultural association as recom­ mendations for resolutions to these voting delegates Topics in the proposed one- page summary developed by the legislative committee vary from a ca'l to continue working (Continued on page 16> Angelo vehicle crossed the centerline while rounding a curve, striking the Haralson auto Robert Haralson was listed in critical condition in the in­ tensive care unit of Sherman hospital. Angelo was reported in fair condition in St. Joseph's hospital in Elgin A passenger in the Angelo car, Marie A Ratke, reportedly suffered a broken leg in the collision According to state police, arrests are pending, until further investigation is com pleted Warren David Rossi 33, of 4200 W Irving P;irk blvd . Chicago, died nt njuries received when he wa ^ruck by a north-bound Chicago & Northwestern Transportation company train late Saturday night The accident took place near the 3800 block of N Avondale street An off-duty Cook County Sheriff's department deputy was walking by at the time John Cella. an instructor in the cardiopulmonary resuscitation department, tried in vain to revive the injured man Rossi was the son of F rank and Mary < Knox > Rossi and the grandson of Mrs Robert (Edna) Knox of McHenrv Three persons were injured in a Sunday afternoon accident on a trail near River road According to Sheriff's police, two motorcycles collided on the trail which is part of the traffic way on River road Charles L Ureche, Boca Raton, Fla., told police he was operating a motorcycle south bound on the trail and as he rounded the curve, he struck another motorcycle driven by Carl R. Bordis, 803 W NE Shore drive. Ureche, Bordis. and a passenger on the Ureche cycle. Donald E Foreman, 1509 Pine street, were injured and taken to McHenry hospital by the McHenry Area Rescue squad Both drivers were ticketed for having no valid driver's license A McHenry man was injured following a motorcycle ac cident on Nish road early Sunday morning Glenn I Batlin. 4727 Crystal Lake avenue, told police he was driving his motorcycle east bound on Nish road when he entered an area of heavy fog Batlin said he became frightened and lost control of his cycle, causing him to crash He was ticketed for failing to reduce speed to avoid an ac­ cident and was taken to McHenry hospital by the Nunda Rescue squad for treatment of his injuries Two persons were injured following an accident on Lin coin road Friday morning Louise M Bottino, 2714 Old Oak drive, told Sheriff's police she was eastbound on Lincoln road and when she applied the brakes as her car entered a curve, it began to skid The auto crossed the centerline and struck a car driven by Hazel Vercouter, 5909 Fox Lake road Ms Bottino and Ms. Ver­ couter were taken to McHenry hospital by the Johnsburg rescue squad Ms Bottino was ticketed for improper lane usage by police Victor C Ramirez, 1810 Davis street, received two tickets following accident on Route 176 near Route 31 Robert J Goodyear. Crystal Lake, told police he was stopped in traffic to allow a police vehicle with its emergency lights in operation to turn around, when his car was struck from behind by the Ramirez vehicle Ramirez was ticketed for failing to reduce speed to avoid an accident and no valid registration DEBORAH KAY l.IEM After an intensive in vestigation that continued for fourteen months. Orange county, Calif . authorities have arrested a 20-vear-old son of an apartment manager for the stabbing death of a former Wonder Lake girl On a warrant issued by the District Attorney's office, F Ixiwell Bradeen was arrested and is being held on )2SO,0OO bond for the death of Deborah Kay Liem, who was buried June 8, 1977, on her twenty-first birthday Deborah had been living alone in one of the many large apartment complexes near the university area She worked full time and attended classes at Fullerton college The accused murderer is said to have resided in the same complex, managed by his father It was Saturday, June 4, 1977, that Deborah's fiance wasr unable to reach her by phone (Continued on page 16) [ Recycling Day August 19 Saturday, Aug 19, is the day set for McHenry s monthly third-Saturday recycling drive to be held at the Market Place p a r k i n g l o t f r o m 9 a m t o 5 pm The Wonder Lake Tennis Boosters will be providing the labor the day of the drive and will be working along with the McHenry County Defenders in seeing that properly prepared newspapers, bottles, cans, and aluminum are moved along ill the second step of the recycling process Those who have large quantities of material to be picked up or who have any_ questions about recycling, are asked to call the McHenry County Defenders represen-. tative either Mrs William (Alice) Howenstine or the Wonder Lake Tennis Boosters representative at 728-0228. In Administration Private, Non-Profit Institution Alternative School To Open This Fall On Wednesday evening, Aug 9, McHenry gained a third high school. With the opening of the fall term, the McHenry Alternative high school will open its doors as a private, fQur-year high school. For several years the school has operated as a part of school District 156, but due to financial considerations, the board of District 156 voted to discontinue the school for the coming year Since that time the ad­ m i n i s t r a t i o n , t e a c h e r s , students, parents and friends of the school have been working to find some way by which it could continue to function At the present time money has been received from various sources, and with tuition received from students, the school is a reality An organizational meeting was held at the old school, at which time Marvin Raidbard. of the DuPage Community school, talked to those present regarding the problems that must be faced when organizing and operating a private alternative high school. He stressed the fact that such a school is needed to meet the needs of certain students and that everyone involved must feel that it is essential and be willing to work hard for its success Raidbard pointed out that there are many students in school systems who do not fit into the educational program and, as a result, are not lear­ ning or are finding themselves having difficulties They are not a part of the school The philosophy of the alternative high school is to have each student take an active part in the school-serve on the board, aid in making financial decisions, aid in s e l e c t i n g p e r s o n n e l a n d curriculum, and decision­ making in all aspects of school life. It is their school The organizational meeting elected a board to serve for one year, consisting of five adult members and one student Another student will be elected to the board by the students following the opening of school Those elected to the board were James Ball, Jerry Kalk, William Dodds. Mary Watrous and Vila Benrud The student elected was John Cunningham Following the election, a board (Continued on page 16) THOMAS J. CARL Thomas J. Carl arrived in McHenry recently from Lock port to take over his new duties as assistant principal of East campus. Carl served the Lockport Township high school as dean of students from 1972 to 1978 and prior to that time taught at Proviso East Ugh school, Maywood, for three years. He received hit Bachelor's degree from Southern Illinois university in Carbondale, hlc Master's degree from Northern Illinois university, DeKalb, and presently is working on an advanced degree. * STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD