Pre-Interview

"I'm finding similarities with the idea of a pre-interview to be fascinating, as it is exactly what I'm learning in my Oral History class. It is important to build a rapport and trust in creating this unique kind of relationship. While at the same time finding a balance to be comfortable before the interview or research, without mistakenly thinking I've been upgraded from an 'outsider' to an 'insider' in the process."

While passing through our state's capital city this week (about 80 miles from home), I noticed two teen inmates being escorted into the county courthouse. They were in teal jumpsuits and sneakers without laces, instead of adult orange jumpsuits, and were handcuffed, shackled and connected to each other. They wobbled like toy robots until finding a rhythm that allowed a slow forward progress. Both were talking and laughing...neither looked frightening in any way, with the exception of the armed sheriff's deputy and all the steel chains and noise associated with them.

And then I wondered...how would one go about a pre-interview with one of them? Build a rapport? Could that person ever really be anything more than an "outsider"? Would it require prior experience as an inmate to build a bond? Or simply someone who will listen? Without judgement?

How did their circumstances come to be so that we shared about three seconds of time in a relatively close space (and will probably never meet again)? Did their family fail them? Did their community fail them? What would they suggest as a means to keep other teens from their fate? Once settled, what do these teens need to help alter their youth development so that they can become contributing citizens to our population?

Being an adult already seems like the opposite side for so many of our teen population, when I observe reactions of adults around teens - or those especially who try avoiding interacting with teens...and it upsets me how so many of those adults are quick to judge a teen based upon his or her appearance. Some of my favorite teens, those who have the biggest hearts and most solid moral compass are covered in piercings and tattoos. They are the first to offer assistance for anything, they are last to leave someone in need, they speak their mind often in whispers and only to a select few. They are emotional...they are human, and need interactions.

Sidenote: I've met one of the librarians at the Maine State Prison...her sense of humor surpasses the best comedians I've ever seen.