Learning In Prison at Marion Reveals Mixed Attitudes
The Southern Illinois News profiles the U S Penitentiary at Marion where an education program operates amid skepticism. About 40 percent of 350 inmates hold high school equivalents, 20 percent did not reach eighth grade, and 73 inmates are in correspondence courses. Many study independently, with law texts driving intense library use across 22 satellite branches. Some inmates distrust formal schooling, while others pursue reading and writing. several inmates, like Randy Gometz, express disillusionment with certificates and future employment despite strong legal study and personal creativity.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Nancy Weil
Southern Illino
U.S
Marion
Richard Covington
University of Illinois
Southern Illinois University
John Clark
Bureau of Prisons
Law
Randy Gometz
Merle Clutts
Robert Ludlum
John Steinbeck
Gometz
Mario Puzo
Louis L’amour
Shawnee
Lockdown reshapes Marion prison religious life
At Marion Federal Penitentiary inmates enter a steel cage to undock handcuffs before prayers in a new high security chapel. Security measures since 1983 restrict group services, angering inmates from Muslims to Native Americans while chaplains strive to meet spiritual needs amid controversy.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
U.S. Penitentiary
Marion
Manuel Cordero
Gavin O’connor
O’connor
Southern Illinoisan
Warren Kern
Moral Science Temple of America
John Williams
Williams
Thomas Reed
Reed
Jerry Williford
Williford
Cordero
Gavin
Inmates at Marion Penitentiary Face Recreation Changes
At the U S Penitentiary Marion inmates face limited daily recreation with many declining sessions. Since October 1983 weightlifting was banned to curb overpowering staff, while control unit inmates in H unit use enclosed yards and an exercycle amid strict supervision.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Nancy Weil
Southern Illinoisan
U.S. Penitentiary
Marion
Thomas Silverstein
Merle Clutts
H-unit
Randy Gometz
Gometz
Marion Prison Work Program Faces Inmate Tensions
An Illinois U.S. Army poster contrasts with inmates at Marion federal prison who say the B-unit work program provides limited pay and pride yet excludes most prisoners. They cite friction between workers and nonworkers, concerns about security, and doubts about post-release job prospects as warden Williford weighs expansion.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Tim Landis
Southern Illinois
an _t
U.S. Army
U.S. Penitentiary
Marion
U.S. Defense Department
Ates
James Owens
Leavenworth
Unicorp
Federal
Owens
Cliniie Mills
Mills
Jerry Williford
Williford
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Paul Jorgenson
Dwight Nale
Southern
Inndian
Southern Illnois
John McCutchen
Gabriel Antelope
Dave Havard