OWNING THE STORE

I often think of sex abuse and prison as a complex system.  When I was paroled back in 2000 one friend commented that I was being set up to fail.  I believe there was some truth to that but I beat the system and am now a licensed Social Worker in a position to help others.

Each of us needs to look deep within ourselves to see whether anything we do contributes to the problem.  This includes how we deal with the angry political situation in this election season. 

It also means holding people in positions of power accountable for what they advocate and being clear when we believe behavior is unacceptable.  I am learning often of how much courage this can require but it is worth the struggle.

Jim Prager

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OWNING THE STORE

Jim Prager

About the Author

I was incarcerated in Michigan from 1991 until 2000. Upon my release, I applied for and, in 2011, was granted a restricted Social Work license in Ohio. In addition, I have 16 years of re-entry experience working with offenders at Citizens Circles, 12-step meetings, and in houses of worship.

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