Page 14 - 2021_American Jails NovDec

sense of pride, discipline, and honor Sometimes, doing anything to show them I
returning to their military bearing. loved them. I was providing for
They want this program to succeed them, but anybody can do that.”
and are quick to alert staff of any you After this exchange he was moved
possible problems or inmates who to the Veterans Unit and enrolled in
don’t share their common goal. know the the Parenting Program. While tak-
By housing these veterans ing the program, he learned it’s not
together and fostering an environ- answer. all about putting a roof over their
ment that inspires military customs head and food on the table. There
and courtesies and fellowship, the You just is a lot more to being a father than
unit is instrumental in addressing simply providing.
the unique issues associated with need
veterans that is simply not fea- Focusing on the Positive
sible in general population units. someone Jeffrey enrolled in the Substance
Likewise, it gives the veterans more Abuse Program even though he
access to programs staff, veteran to give didn’t have an alcohol or substance
staff members, the VA, the Veterans abuse problem. In this program, he
leges—which collectively help them you a dose learned several coping skills that he
Outreach Program, and local col-
uses to this day. Next, he enrolled
to meet their personal program- in the Wage Program. There he
ming needs because they are able of tough remembers meeting Sgt. Aaron
to receive additional one-on-one Mann who he admits “gave him
consultation. love.” some tough love also.” At the time,
Jeffrey was depressed and feeling
One Veteran’s Story Jeffrey hopeless about his situation, and he
Estright because of the criminal charges was missing his daughters. “What
One of the first three inmates against him. He was devastated. I really took from him was perspec-
accepted into the Veterans Unit Then Captain Cosgrove tive,” he says.
at GCDC was Jeffrey Estright, a approached him in his general He vividly recalls Sgt. Mann
former USAF jet mechanic. Like population housing unit and asked explaining “Every situation has a
many veterans, he struggled to find him a simple question: “What are positive and a negative possibility.
purpose and direction in the civilian you doing here?” Jeffrey explained If you focus on the negative, you
world after his discharge from the his charges. Captain Cosgrove inter- have a 100% chance the outcome
Air Force. Jeffrey stated “I was basi- jected, “No, that is what brought will be negative. If you change
cally living life without purpose. you here; but what are you doing your mindset and focus on the
I never accepted responsibility for here?” Jeffrey remembers not hav- positive than your outcome may be
my actions, and I bounced around ing an answer for her. He looked positive.”
from job to job. When I got fired, I around at the other inmates in After speaking with Sgt. Mann,
just blamed others. Between 2000 general population, and it dawned Jeffrey changed his outlook and
to 2016, I made a bunch of stupid on him the she had a point. “I’m not began focusing on the positive. As
mistakes and never really thought like these other inmates; I shouldn’t a result from what he had learned
about doing anything with my life.” be here,” he thought to himself.” from sergeant, he decided he
Captain Cosgrove asked him would attend school when he got
“What Are You Doing Here?” if he had any children. Jeffrey out of jail. For the first time in his
On Easter Sunday 2016, Jeffrey’s responded, “Yes, I have two daugh- life he believed he could be suc-
ex-wife invited him to her house ters.” Captain Cosgrove continued cessful. Prior to that conversation,
to spend time with his daughters, “Do you love your daughters?” he believed college was for other
and he gladly accepted. When his Jeffrey replied, “Yes, of course, people, not him. Before he was
ex-wife became belligerent during I love my daughters.” Captain released, Capt. Cosgrove and Sgt.
the visit, he decided it was time to Cosgrove stated, “Well, your actions Mann set him up to attend college
leave. Before he could even get in aren’t showing it.” in the fall of 2016.
his car, she called the police and Jeffrey remembers those com- Although his intention was to
accused him of a crime he didn’t ments hitting him like a metaphori- attend college immediately after
commit. He was arrested. The next cal punch in his chest. He thought his release, he decided to get a job
day the judge denied his bond first so he would have a chance
to himself, “She is right. I wasn’t

12 | NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2021 AMERICANJails