Inmate Meeting Reflection

I remember the first time I had the opportunity to work with an inmate that was classified, according to the facility, as a high-custody inmate. The section of the jail where I was counseling him had to be clear of any other inmates in order to avoid contact with other offenders. His demeanor was calm, and he did not appear to be under any distress. The purpose of our meeting was for me, as an HIV tester and counselor, to provide a service that he had requested. I had no knowledge of his crimes and only knew that he was confined to a cell 23 hours a day. We met for 15 minutes, I provided the service, and the deputy; who was present during the whole encounter; proceeded to walk him towards the door.

While I was pleased I was able to assist him, a sense of disappointment possessed me. Before meeting with my next client, I had to take a moment to process what had just taken place. During our conversation, the client disclosed suicidal …show more content…
He wrote that after our conversation he felt that he no longer wanted to take his life, that he wanted to find help, and that he had gained a bit of purpose in life. I do not remember doing anything out of the ordinary for this client, but after reading his letter I learned that being there, providing support, and listening meant something extraordinary to him. I had inspired him to live. At that moment, I decided that I was going to become a therapist. I learned I should never take for granted the opportunity I am given to make a difference in someone’s life, even when it feels like not much was accomplished during a session.

With the degree of Masters in Social Work, I plan to provide therapy for the diverse community that I live in. I want to empower individuals to make beneficial changes in their lives, to inspire and guide those who seek hope and wellbeing and to contend with discrimination, oppression, and social