WE ARE YOUR FUTURE
WE ARE INCARCERATED WOMEN. We are the forgotten, the marginalized, the dis-possessed, and the abandoned; we are the disposable refuse of a throw-away society. But the consequences of our repudiation have been overlooked in society's haste to hide its social and moral problems behind barbed wire and bars of steel, for we are also the mothers of the future generation.
The children who were taken from our arms and taken forcibly from our sides will one day grow up to share the lessons they learned in their youth: as they received so shall they give. Those who were beaten shall inflict violence on others; those who were sexually abused will prey upon the innocent; the homeless and unwanted will become destroyers; and the addicted will spread their sickness throughout the land.
But those who received love will give love to others; those who were helped will one day help others. Kindness and compassion will be shared in the measure in which it was received. The children that were allowed to bond, heal, and grow with their incarcerated mothers will grow up to make positive contributions to society rather than acting out the pain and anger of those who could not heal. Women who are helped to rehabilitate themselves will teach their children how to recover from their wounds and rise above their circumstances.
BITTERNESS OR BLESSING-THE CHOICE IS YOURS.
WE ARE YOUR FUTURE
Gloria Killian, W#23749
California Institution for Women, Frontera, CA 91720