Community resolutions
Building community is something CCWF Paper Trail strives to do. Whether it is through our monthly publication, events we sponsor, our journalism cohorts or the upcoming podcast and audiovisual components we anticipate having in the media center, our goal is to build a stronger, wider community within our facility.
In considering how to build a stronger, wider community, CCWF Paper Trail decided to conduct a survey of approximately 100 individuals from Facilities B, C and D to get a feel for whether residents would like to make resolutions as a population. The survey also asked if residents would like to feel a sense of community within Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF).
The New Oxford American Dictionary defines a resolution as “a firm decision to do or not to do something.” Many people worldwide make New Year’s resolutions on January 1, solidifying their desires to either do or not do something. Those resolutions are individual, but what happens when people in a population consider implementing resolutions as a community?
The overwhelming majority of CCWF residents want to feel a greater sense of community within the institution.
Resident Lila Alligood responded, “We can’t achieve sobriety or healing without a positive support system.”
“It would mean we care to live a normal, civilized life in a safe environment,” said Gabriela Acosta.
In terms of resolutions, Jodi Miller said, “For everyone to try to abstain from drugs and violence.”
Unfortunately, many people are unable to sustain their New Year’s resolutions for one reason or another. How does someone go from a resolution to a more concrete change in their life? It requires dedication and determination to turn a desire someone has on January 1 into a sustainable lifestyle change. That is where a sense of community, unity and belonging among CCWF residents can help transform what incarcerated individuals experience now into a place they would like to see — a place that is more conducive to growth, healing and transformation.
What does community mean? In a word, community means inclusion. Community is recognizing that the individuals we are surrounded by are our peers and they go through struggles, just as we do. Community means that we can all achieve more if we lift one another up as opposed to tearing one another down.
Imagine a place where everyone at CCWF could feel like part of a larger community, like they are part of something bigger than themselves. If we reframe our perspective to look at our time in CCWF as preparing us to reenter society, we can start becoming community-minded now instead of waiting until we get out to make that transition.
Being incarcerated is difficult for many reasons, as every resident of CCWF knows. But one thing is certain: we do not have to make our incarceration more difficult for ourselves or others. Building community can help us feel less alone and more united with our peers. Based on the individuals surveyed for this article, the vast majority would like to feel a sense of community at CCWF. If you feel that way, be the change you want to see — we never know what might happen when we take that leap of faith.
