Program to Teach Entry-Level College Course(s)

By: Douglas Johnson

[11SEP24_VADOC-Educ_IAP-Proposal_DVJ]

PROPOSAL FOR: VADOC’s IN-RESIDENT ADJUNCT PROFESSOR (IAP) Program to Teach Entry-Level College Course(s)

I. OVERVIEW
1. Intention
A. As the Mentorship Committee Chairman of the River North CC Veterans Support Group, I seek opportunities to serve through educational and philanthropic projects IAW VADOC OP 841.1.VII.3.D.

B. The best thing a prison’s education department can do for an inmate, is to show them their true unlimited potential. That is what the RNCC Education Department has done for me over the last three years. So, it is my intention to carry it forward by proposing this VADOC IAP initiative.

2. My IAP Qualifications
A. I humbly submit to you that I am the best prospective IAP candidate in VADOC to model this proposal based on my extensive educational [1,2,3], professional, and personal experience as a former US Army Major and ODNI/NCTC Intelligence Operations Supervisor [4,5].

B. I am in a very unique position as a mental health & education advocate, mentor, author, and future adjunct professor. With no release date, having served almost seven years, I have remained charge-free and sober [6]. Being an IAP would undoubtedly give me monumental purpose.

C. Throughout the remainder of this proposal (and its enclosures), I will present: the need for a VADOC IAP Program, its significant advantages, potential courses, recommended IAP req., inmate-student funding, and a brief concept/vision for expanding this prospective IAP Program throughout VADOC and other DOCs.

II. THE NEED FOR A VADOC IAP PROGRAM
1. A vast body of evidence-based research concludes recidivism/re-offense and incarcerated infraction rates are significantly lower in individuals/inmates that have completed more educational and mentoring programs while incarcerated.

2. There is a need for this type of IAP Program in VADOC.
A. To meet the extremely high interest-level throughout VADOC for programs like the VT-CFH @RNCC and UVA-Darden @BKCC Partnership Programs.

B. To enable VADOC Education Principals to augment teacher/professor for temporary and/or longterm shortages.

III. STAKEHOLDER ADVANTAGES
1. VADOC having qualified college course professor(s) on-site will have tremendous advantages for all stakeholders: VADOC, partnering universities, inmates, and the IAP.

2. If VADOC and facility principals had a full-time professor they will be able to offer an increased number of in-person entry-level college courses to inmates.

3. Student-Inmates will have a sense of accomplishment in taking a college course, realizing their untapped potential, and gain a greater sense of hope. It can enable them to see that dreams have no expiration dates. Completing a college course can give these students purpose and momentum to work towards a degree.

IV. The following are very fitting ENTRY-LEVEL COURSES for this program:
1. Humanities
2. Creative Writing
3. Critical Thinking
4. Peace & Conflict Resolution
5. Self-Awareness in Avoiding Recidivating

V. RECOMMENDED REQUIREMENTS TO BECOME AN IAP:
1. Masters Degree in field. Under exceptional circumstances, significant professional experience for academic credentials may be substituted at discretion of the hiring university.
2. Charge/infraction-free for at least 10 years.*
3. No drug-related charges while incarcerated.
4. Trusted-stellar reputation with VADOC leadership/staff.
5. Random drug-tests.*
*At Educ. Principal’s discretion.

VI. FUNDING Options
1. Pell Grant
2. Donor Funding
3. G.I. Bill (Military VETs)

VII. IAP PROGRAM POTENTIAL
1. Colorado [7], California, and Maine DOCs already have a similar program. Why not Virginia too?

2. Virginia Tech (and other VA colleges) already have relevant course curriculums that can be adjusted per VADOC MOU requirement stipulations.

3. I am currently pursuing multiple university Letters of Intent (LOI) to be hired as an Adjunct Professor, (VT, UVA, VCU, NSU, VSU, GMU, JMU, ODU, GU, ASU), respectively.
A. Official hiring contingent upon VADOC planning to implement this type of program.
B. LOIs RX’d: TBD.

4. As a prospective IAP, I am very willing to be deployed to any prison to teach courses and to train new IAPs, based on your VADOC needs.

VIII. In closing, I graciously thank you for considering this proposal. I know it is an ambitious plan, but I hope and pray that you can see its infinite potential.
I also plan to play an integral role in VADOC’s “Reading Enables All Learners (REAL) Literacy Program.”
Becoming a PhD candidate is a longterm goal of mine. However, this midterm IAP goal is currently more feasible, realistic, and widely impactful.
I will continue to Stand STRONG, make the best use of my ‘Time,’ & remain Purpose-Driven!

Humbly Submitted,

DOUGLAS V. JOHNSON (#1937011)
RNCC-VSG-MCC

The Cliff-of-Death

By D.V. JOHNSON, II (#1937011, River North)

Ice Cold gusty wailing winds and ravaging torrential rains of The Storm as I stand on The Cliff-of-Death’s verge… Electrified trials & tribulations converge&merge causing me to sway&swerve, I see glimpses of my demons clawing up from the Notorious bottomless pit below..

Urges to elude these thunderous throes vigorously intensify, but, threats to throw me over are thereby thwarted… My bellowing cries for a Renewal of Perspective cause me to realize that without pain, I’d have no frame of reference for when something truly deserves to be Glorified…

RECALIBRATING so I can Stand Strong on this cliff-of-death, as my Life’s Purpose is continuously enlightened & further refined.

*Inspired by Psalm 57 during Mental Health Awareness Month (May 2024).

Although Darkness Awaits

BY: D.V. JOHNSON, II

Our vices feed on our flesh,
Feeling so deeply immersed.
Drowning, FIGHTING for one breath,
Our Dreams & Passions we thirst…

All bottled-up suppressed pain,
Cathartic rhythms seep through.
Toxic expectations wane,
Birthing out of these drab blues.

Although darkness awaits us,
Wasted “TIME” will be refrained.
Turning pain, into PURPOSE!
POTENTIAL is now, UNCHAINED.

***DVJ’s Author Note: This piece, “ALTHOUGH DARKNESS AWAITS…..” was inspired by a writing assignment given in Virginia Tech Center for Humanities UNCHAINED Program held at River North Correctional Center. If you are have not read James Baldwin’s “Sonny’s Blues,” you should. It provides our families/support systems a refined perspective into potential struggle we may face when re-entering society after being incarcerated.
Whether we battle/battled with substance abuse, alcoholism, mental illness and/or any other issues, that Darkness will still await us if/when we rejoin society.
I wrote “ALTHOUGH DARKNESS AWAITS…..” to let you know that you are not alone… To try to positively influence at least one person to Believe in their Potential to succeed in making the best possible use of their “TIME” they are serving.
Let’s ensure we prepare ourselves for whatever darkness may await…

Humbly,
D.V. JOHNSON, II (#1937011)

CHAINED

BY D.V. JOHNSON, II

***DVJ’s Author Note: This piece, “CHAINED” was inspired by my Demon, alcohol. Although I am over six years sober, it does not mean that the pit of my gut does not yearn to feel that burn. There is still a temptation to escape the mental anguish at times. It’s no secret that any demon on that side of the wall, is also within these walls. The difference is that “out there” we can distance ourselves from being so close to it. And, “out there” there are FAR MORE RESOURCES (counseling/therapy/treatment/programs/support) to help us improve ourselves. Writing allows me to turn my pain into Purpose. Mentoring also helps me maintain the Positive Momentum that I have gained over my “Time.” I also wrote “CHAINED” to let others know that the are not alone in their struggles.

Afflicted, tormented, conflicted, and Viiiiiiii-olently addicted… Sonorously sodden heavy chains draining the life out of me… Tried & fate-defied… Hooked&shook to the core feenin’ for more but terrified to further explore…

Cold night sweats got me grovelin’ & laid-da-Fuk out on this fawnky-ass floor… as my demons claw at the belly’s eternal depths… teetering at the crossroads of what lies in wait… It is crouched in the low-ready, poised to viciously pounce & gore….

12 Steps away from completely handing the reigns of these chains over to Him and walking along a renewed path, fully restored…

Humbly,
D.V. JOHNSON, II

DOUGLAS V. JOHNSON, II (#1937011)
River North Correctional Center
329 Dellbrook Lane
Independence, VA 24348

Facebook: DOUG V. JOHNSON
LinkedIn: DOUG V. JOHNSON
Write-A-Prisoner: DOUGLAS JOHNSON (#1937011)
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INCARCERATED MILITARY VETERANS’ PROGRAM IN VIRGINIA DOC

Independence, VA
July 23, 2023

River North Correctional Center (RNCC) Veterans’ Program Coordinator and discussion group facilitator Douglas V. Johnson II (#1937011) and fellow VSG Members have developed and implemented the inmate-led Self-Awareness H.O.P.E. Discussion Group Program, for the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC). The group is currently only comprised of incarcerated military Veteran’s Support Group members at RNCC and meets twice a month for one hour, [IAW VADOC OP-841.1.VII.B-D].

H.O.P.E. stands strong for “Helping Ourselves Progress & Evolve.” Due to the lack of access to -and lengthy waiting lists for- programs/educational opportunities and the severe lack of mental health services in prison, we are taking an aggressive initiative to rehabilitate and correct ourselves. We are focused on boldly confronting ourselves with thought-provoking reflective questions in order to strengthen our sense of Self-Awareness.

The 20-hour H.O.P.E. Programs’ five core objectives are to improve decision-making, find a greater sense of purpose, not waste the ‘Time’ we are serving, recognize our limitless potential, and to ultimately decrease the probability of recidivating/re-offending.

It is comprised of a total of 55 questions broken down into the following five categories:
1.) Self-Awareness;
2.) Importance of Healthy Relationships;
3.) Character, Wisdom, & Mindset;
4.) Decision-Making, Plans, & Direction; and
5.) Recognizing Potential & Establishing Positive Momentum.

Furthermore, each question also has at least one specific learning objective (i.e. mental health & substance abuse nexus, turning potential weaknesses into strengths, subconscious/auto-suggestion/patterns, assessing intentions, etc.).

A few of our upcoming discussion group questions will be:
1.) Am I aware of how my unprocessed trauma -or, moral injury- is impacting/has impacted my decision-making?
2.) Most pain ever experienced/felt (not physical pain)?
3.) How do I attain and maintain greater purpose and a healthy-level of hope while serving my Time (i.e. Life-Sentence)?
4.) What advice would I give my 21 year old self (or 21 year old Son)?
5.) What do I long for (not physical)?

Not everyone will share their life experiences/perspectives during every session, but we have found that even just listening to other’s transparency, can still lead to our own Transformation….. Self-Awareness, Personal Accountability, Maximized Potential, and Onward Positive Movement towards Greater Purpose is what H.O.P.E. is all about! HELPING OURSELVES PROGRESS & EVOLVE!!!

Pending RNCC approval, we plan to implement a non-Veteran Parole-Preparation and Re-Entry Support Group that will use H.O.P.E.’s curriculum as its foundation. H.O.P.E. will be published in workbook format and available on Amazon by Spring 2024. A list of our discussion questions can be found and downloaded on the Brilliance Behind Bars website. I encourage you to reflect on these questions and to start your own support/discussion group wherever you are.
Humbly,
-DVJ

Douglas V. Johnson II is a graduate of the Virginia Tech Center for Humanities 2022 UNCHAINED Program and whose poetry was published in the VT UNLOCKED Journal: Art and Experiences From Inside Virginia Prisons.

“What’s in the Box!?”

A Perspective on Trauma CompartMENTALization v/s Processing While Incarcerated
DOUGLAS V. JOHNSON, II (RNCC, #1937011)

We stare down into the seemingly bottomless & packed “box” suppressed with our demons/issues/insecurities/trauma. Not getting overwhelmed can be a tremendous task in itself… It can definitely lead to some significant procrastination… A fear of stirring up old pain can cause us to put it off until later as we find something sweet to keep us occupied/distracted.

Unpacking this box alone is not recommended because things usually get worse, before they get better… Unfortunately, in incarcerated settings, mental health resources/programs are severely limited/scarce. If we were in society, we could get a dedicated counselor/therapist to help us unpack this box…

Prior to my incarceration, I ran from working on myself for so long, but now I only wish I had a professional to take me through the process of processing it all. I just poured Gin & Jen on the box and lit it on fire, only to wake up the next morning with it weighing heavily upon my chest… I stored that old beat-up&tattered box in the back of the garage. I got tired of seeing that worn-out taped-up box, so I put it in the Fu€#!ng basement, & then the attic.

But, sitting with me in solitary confinement, I was alone with the box for two consecutive years… Emotions intensified to the n’th degree. The first piece of advice I got from my Boss/Colleague/Mentor was “A counselor just helps you understand yourself better and will give you tools to cope with your issues… So now, it will be on you to gain a greater sense of self-awareness which includes acknowledging your pain & demons… Begin to WRITE & Read, and Keep WRITING and Reading!”

Anyhow, the box gets lighter as we take our time to inventory its contents and acknowledge what’s in there… then, one by one we take it apart to process it, and then put each item on the damn shelf as if it were a trophy, somehow turning it into a Positive. Transforming the gruesome pain into Greater Purpose!!!… Then, we decide when to take the next item out of the box…

As I now confidently look my shelf of sculptures in the eye, I feel tremendous clarity of my issues. I have now taken my POWER back from the box. As the box got lighter, I began to understand myself so much better… A fresh perspective and outlook on life.

Something else also happened… My inability to concentrate began to dissipate and my reading comprehension and memory began to improve. I then realized the impact that my unprocessed trauma had on me over the years.

In our incarcerated settings, the lack of mental health services can exacerbate our mental health issues. Many of us turn to self-medicating our issues which worsens our situations. If we really want to honestly address our problems, we HAVE TO take the initiative to educate ourselves, better understand ourselves/issues, utilize any & all available resources, and invest in & cultivate our support systems. We CANNOT stop at “well, there are no mental health services.” If we wait on DOC (regardless of the state) to provide more services without taking personal accountability & initiative, then we are wasting our ‘Time.’

With all of the reading/writing/self-reflection, my communications skills also significantly improved… All of these improvements have led to me making HEALTHIER life-altering decisions and helped ensure I was emotionally available for my Family.

Addressing our suppressed mental health issues requires extremely hard work when we are out there in a free society even with an abundant amount of resources (therapists/counselors, support groups, variety of medication, treatment methods, etc.). While incarcerated, we have to work infinitely harder if we want to grow and build. One advantage that we do have on this side of the wall is, our ‘Time’ to get laser-focused on unpacking that box… With acknowledgement, comes growth…

-DOUGLAS V. JOHNSON, II (RNCC, #1937011)
19JUL23