prison work

[FightingIrish]

I am in the process of applying/getting cleared to do prison A.A. work. I have a concern that perhaps my story isn't "relevant", in that I have spent less than 24 hours in a jail, which was enough of a "spiritual" experience for me to get help.

I have heard people's stories who have been to prison multiple times for long periods of time, and it wasn't enough to get them sober.

Does anyone have any experience doing prison work when your background doesn't exactly line up?

[rayofsunshine]

I don't have any experience in that... but may God Bless You for doing this work.

My STBexAH was in prison 2years. The amount love and guidance from the caring
people that came in to do the NA/AA and weekly bible studies as well as Sunday services,
special cookouts, bingo where they got hygiene bag prizes was so valuable to him while he was in there.

I think your story will be relevant... with the help of God, you got it after only 24 hours in jail....some may take longer to get it.. but with the help of God or whatever they call their HP... they can now get it too though the AA teachings.

[tommyk]

Congrats on your decision to give back what has so freely been given to you.

I think we are carrying the message of AA when speak anywhere.

Maybe it isn't prison work as much as it is AA work?

I've never been homeless, but if I spoke at a homeless shelter I would be carrying the message, right?

Give them your ES&H wherever they are.

[Sugah]

I've been taking meetings into county jails for more than five years, and I had similar concerns when I started. I spent a night in a police station awaiting arraignment on assault charges but not a single night in jail. That's not to say that I didn't have experience to which they could relate. I have a string of involuntary commitments to psychiatric facilities and two years in a wheelchair. But honestly? I rarely needed to "prove" myself to any of the inmates. I spoke to them about my drinking, why I drank and how I couldn't stop, even when the consequences started piling up. That was enough.

I go to meetings on the outside with folks who have a very different background than I do and got sober with a much different pile of wreckage. The language of the heart is universal. As long as we're relating our insides instead of comparing our outsides, we can communicate.

Peace & Love,
Sugah

[Rob B]

My home group does two monthly meetings at the State Prison in Concord. The life drama does not matter, it is not why I am alcoholic. When I go to prisons, I hit step one HARD. Real alcoholics can identify with this immediately.

I talk about the craving, what happens after I take a drink. I talk about the insanity that makes me take the 1st drink even though I know I will experience negative consequences, I use page 52 and discuss the spiritual malady.Then I talk about the solution and the actions I took to recover. If your audience can't relate to this, no worries, they are probably not alcoholic.

One last thought, a prison cell is a fine place to find God, my experience is that folks are more receptive to the spiritual course of action in places like this than when they still "have a plan".

[jimhere]

Originally Posted by FightingIrish

I am in the process of applying/getting cleared to do prison A.A. work. I have a concern that perhaps my story isn't "relevant", in that I have spent less than 24 hours in a jail, which was enough of a "spiritual" experience for me to get help.

I have heard people's stories who have been to prison multiple times for long periods of time, and it wasn't enough to get them sober.

Does anyone have any experience doing prison work when your background doesn't exactly line up?

You'll do fine. Just remember, as Rob said, we don't go there to talk to convicts. We are going there to talk with alcoholics.

Talk of your experience as an alcoholic, both active and recovered. And remember your have tapped a source of power much greater than yourself. Here's a little prayer to say before you go in:

Dear God,
I'm getting ready to go here and do this. Would you come with me?

Thanks for doing what you're doing. This is what we mean when we talk about doing the work.
Jim

[navysteve]

Treat it like any other meeting. You don't have to embelish your story. There are plenty of people serving time because of "one night" of drinking and one bad decision.

Great 12 step work to do in there

[Tommyh]

I spent about 5 years going into 3 different prisons here in NC.I looked at it as one alcoholic talking to another.Thats all i tried to talk about with them.
It really helped me a lot,and one day it really kept me sober when i was new in sobriety.

There is always a few of those guys who want you to do something for them,like write a parole officer,or someone,my advice,don`t.Just carry the message of sobriety...I`m really glad you are going in ,and i wish you well