Thoughts In Prison Turn Into Books

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Retired high school teacher Patricia Clough found a reason to return the classroom in 2003.But instead of teens at a school, she teaches inmates creative writing at the Women’s Community Correctional Center.

“We’re in production with our second book now, hoping the next will be ready for distribution this September. We are so proud of this project,” Clough declared.

Students published their first book earlier this year. Hulihia is a collection of poetry, short essays and responses to certain prompts. Co-teacher ‘Ilima Stern suggested the name, which translates as “transformation, or to change.”

Things couldn’t be better for Clough and her adult students.“They are the most marvelous students I’ve ever had. It’s been like a rolling stone: It started as a small idea and it just kept growing.It’s very dear to my heart.”

Oddly enough, Clough came across her special project by accident. “I was running past a group of women doing gardening at Lanikai Point,” she recalled of that fall day in 2003. “I saw a van with ‘Department of Public Safety’on it and thought ‘who’s this?’”

She then learned from a friend in the Kailua Chamber of Commerce that the ladies from WCCC were on a project related to their landscaping program. Clough was soon in touch with the prison’s educational supervisor, discussing plans to make the writing class a reality. Sessions began in the winter of 2004.

She co-teaches with Stern - another retired teacher - who leads the class when Clough is on the mainland for part of the year.

A look through the women’s first effort reveals lessons the women have learned on the landscaping crew. In It Is a Tree, Jolene writes:

“It is a tree and that is all it was meant to be.That is all it knows how to be. The tree accepts its role in the drama of life and it performs to the best of its ability.”

Others, like Kaiulani in Dreams, get right to the point:

“Dream big. Can’t wait to get out. Determined to get my life back into one piece ... “

Other women express spiritual beliefs, the passage of time, families waiting for them outside, childhood experiences both good and bad. Michelle did a character study, in which she describes a young cleaning woman:

“This thin Asian beauty is found early in the morning performing her duties as a janitor. She walks into each cell with a smile ... she tends to each person and their dwelling unit, like a gardener tends to rose bushes ... she’s a vivid storyteller, a comedian, an actress ... “

“It’s pretty profound,” said Clough.“It kind of blows you away at how much they connected. They have a lot to say. Some of them, they’re writing to their children, mothers, fathers. It’s a real experiment for them and thrilling to see their names in print.”

The Windward Arts Council sponsors the class and just last week awarded it a $4,000 grant, which Clough hopes to use to make the second book bigger and better.With WAC behind it, the program has a conduit for donations. Still other clubs are giving newer literature for use by the budding writers, which Clough is especially excited about.

“I believe better writing is a result of better reading habits. They (students) want good literature. They want somebody to take an interest in what they like to read.”

The women are required to take certain programs while in prison. Some work on their GED, others take 12-step rehab programs. The teachers are happy the creative writing class can give them a break from the norm. “We’re giving them an opportunity to express themselves (through things) that aren’t related to rehabilitation, that are centered around personal reflection and discovering themselves.”

The next 10-week class starts soon, with new students and writings sent from others who were transferred to a Kentucky prison.