Jail Bird?

Takeaways from a Jail Release Simulation

By Becky Cain, Commongrounds’ Curator of Community

Picking up the clear plastic packet, I began to read about “Amber”, my persona for the morning. Amber spent 25 years in both state and federal prison for murder, felon in possession of a firearm and a past drug conviction.

Education: A high school diploma

Employment: $120 a week working part-time at a fast food restaurant

Housing situation: Living with significant other in rundown apartment

This life card also included a checklist of living expenses and court ordered appearances; Amber(I) was allotted $200, a few transportation tickets, 2 of 3 necessary ids, and four wild cards- one for each week of the simulation. Phew. What had I gotten myself into?