SOCPM Newsletter | August 27, 2022

Greetings,

SOCPM Inside the Prison Gate: The dilemma of good time

SOCPM Outside the Prison Gate: Try again on clergy visits and more letter writing.

On the Home Front: Happy Birthday, Michelle, and a blessing to see you, Ray, and Lulu

On the Prayer Front:  All things family, SOCPM, and more

On the Prayer Front:  All things family, SOCPM, and more

These are the topics for this week's SOCPM Newsletter. I hope you enjoy it, despite my lack of an editor. Michelle would like to edit my newsletters (I think she has a deep-seated desire to be an English teacher with a red pencil in hand), but her work voids the time.

To Him be the glory in ALL things and Him alone,

Scott Kalas
Soldiers of Christ Prison Ministries

SOCPM Inside the Prison Gate

Good time (GT) is one of the most sought-after things by individuals in prison. GT reduces the prisoner's sentence. They earn GT in several ways. One is attending programs or classes that teach behavioral modification and life-living skills. It isn't uncommon for SOCPM students to ask if SOCPM's Christian Living and Discipleship will earn them GT.

Over the past week, I had no less than six students ask me if they'll get GT by taking the class. I typically get one or two inquiries at the beginning of a class, not towards the end. Unfortunately, they don't.

Though both programs could meet the requirements of life-living skills and behavioral modification, earning a half-day GT for each class, I would need to submit a request to IDOC. Again, seem's simple except for those four letters, IDOC. Suppose I were to submit SOCPM classes to IDOC; they would probably approve them; however, if they found any content objectionable, they could ask me to remove it before approving it for GT. One example would be homosexuality.

Additionally, I'd have to maintain accurate records of attendance, which I already do, but what if a student leaves during the class? Does he earn the 1/2 day? What if he has to leave for a scheduled medical appointment or other excused absence? Do visitation count as justified absence? By asking why he's going, it may lead to them trying to justify it, resulting in back-and-forth banter and wasting class time.

One of my most significant concerns is when a class reaches max size creating a waiting list; however, how many students are there for the class content and not just a means to earn GT? The odds are 50/50, meaning other inmates who want to learn the curriculum can't attend because of a waiting list.

The bottom line is that SOCPM would be partly under the authority of IDOC. No thanks, I prefer to remain under the authority of my church elders, which is ultimately God's authority.

SOCPM Outside the Prison Gate

My first clergy visit scheduled with Peter, a former SOCPM student, on August 18th was a no-go. I was at the video window attempting to enter my confirmation when the pod (a section of the jail area) commander called the person who cleared me for initial entry, saying the visit was canceled because Peter had COVID. I had to wait 14 days to reschedule. So, I've rescheduled a visit with Peter for September 1st.

Before my scheduled visit with Peter, I attended a court hearing for Argenis, another former SOCPM student. Unfortunately, the hearing was all done by video, which prevented me from possibly getting a message to Argenis informing him if he was interested, I'd be open to scheduling a clergy visit. However, I was blessed to have an opportunity to talk with his public defender. He suggested I contact Steve from New Life Corrections, who visits Kane County pods weekly. Who in return could interact with Argenis on my behalf? A possible stumbling block is that Argenis is still on parole and could be sent back to IDOC before I can schedule a clergy visit.

I wrote and sent a letter to my nephew Shane. Though my sister said that he said he would write me, I've yet to receive a letter. It would be a blessing as I'm curious how he may respond to my letters where I've included topics related to my faith. In this latest letter, I shared the Gospel and included some articles that further explain the Gospel. Would you please pray God will open Shane's heart to receive the Holy Spirit?

I did receive a letter from David, a pen pal in Huntsville, TX. He professes faith, but he rarely shares anything related to his profession, nor does he respond to my comments about Scripture and faith. In his latest letter, the only reference to God is his usual, 'greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.' Then he tells me he needs me to get him a list of halfway houses in Texas. He is apparently going to be paroled after 13 years of incarceration. He also asked if I could mail him the user guide for the prison issue tablet. I addressed both in my response, but he also shared he is stressed out in matters related to his sister. There is a mutual estrangement; she hasn't written in a long time. His past letters make me believe he wants his sister to do most of the prep work for his parole. If she does not want to help him, I'm his backup. further

I responded in detail with Scripture about how he needs to be the initiator in taking steps for reconciliation. Though I've not mailed it, possibly later today if I can finish writing, I look forward to seeing how he responds to the Scripture on reconciliation and if he has taken any of the steps.

Sadly, though David professes he's a Christian, his letters lead me to believe he doesn't have saving faith. In my previous letter, I sent him material on assurance of salvation. I worded it by emphasizing I, too, as God's word commands us to assure our salvation (2 Corinthians 13:5, 2 Peter 1:10-11.

On the Home Front

It was birthday celebration time for Michelle on August 20th. I won't share her age other than to say she was born before 2012 🤓 We went to the Butterfly House of Geneva; though butterflies do very little for me, it was a joyful time for Michelle. My enjoyment is peaked when Michelle is having a joyous time. We also went to Clark Island along the Fox River in Batavia, il. The weather was not accommodating, but Michelle has had it on her things-to-do list for a while. We also visited the Batavia Boardwalk Shops.

The grand finale of Michelle's birthday celebration was meeting up with our dear friends Ray and LuAnne, who I call, Lulu, who are visiting from Colorado, for dinner at the Windmill Grille and Pizzeria. All four of us agreed the food was delicious, we had a great server in Nancy, and Windmille treated Michelle to a gluten-free flourless chocolate cake. 

(L-R) - Ray (aka Roy Boy), Luanne (aka Lulu), Michelle (aka Bride), Scott (aka me)

We ended our evening with a rare event, Michelle and me hosting Ray and Lulu in our home. Having Michelle's office in the living room when we lived in the condo made hosting friends impractical. So our hosting Ray and Lulu in a comfortable home was my highlight of Michelle's birthday celebration. Praise and thanks to our great God; for my lovely bride, Michelle, my dear friends Ray and Lulu, good food, and home to fellowship.

On the Prayer Front

Cameron - Cameron's roommate, Amy, relapsed again and is trying to get into a 30-day treatment program. Cameron is getting closer to having his hernia operation; please pray it gets finalized and goes well. With the stress of the items above and more, please pray Cameron remains sober. As always, pray for his salvation and his friends Hunter and Amy.

Michelle (aka my lovely bride) - The draining of her knees and a new type of cortisone ejection help reduce swelling and pain in her knees. Continue in prayer for Michelle and her co-workers as the upgrade draws near. She remains in God's Word.

Self - A busy schedule and forgetful shopping in stocking up on frozen fruit and having fresh spinach has gotten me off the discipline of a smoothie every other day. Please pray that I can get back into my smoothie routine now I have frozen fruit and fresh spinach. My desire to snack remains a challenge. I've recently started a small dosage of melatonin. Please pray I can have an uninterrupted sleep.

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