When senior Claire Duke heard her CAPS class was going to a correctional facility, images were conjured in her mind of the prisons in movies with rows of bars and orange jumpsuits and a perpetual feeling of the miserable nature of life. But her preconceived notions were altered when she walked through the Lansing Correctional Facility and spoke with some of the people who were incarcerated there.

The goal of the field trip was to gain an understanding of what it means when someone is sent to jail, co-instructor Sarah Stewart said. Since the whole program is a law and safety program, Stewart said she wanted students to see all the different facets of the law. Stewart wanted the students to gain an understanding of what it means when a person is sentenced to prison, she said. Stewart said that it was a unique experience that the students were able to go to the prison since people under eighteen normally are not allowed in prisons.

Duke said the CAPS students received a tour of the facility and they were able to speak with different inmates about their experiences. She said the students witnessed how the inmates were able to take care of their bank accounts, how they could purchase different items, where they worshipped and what kind of lifestyle inmates led while in prison. Duke said speaking with the inmates was the most impactful part of the experience.

“I was really shocked by one of the stories of a guy who we talked with who had a life-sentence for felony murder and he was in minimum security,” Duke said. “He talked about how his life was turned around, like he used to sell alcohol in prison and be a part of all the drug gangs, and then he got into the Brothers in Blue program and he changed his life around and that was really cool to hear.”

This experience has changed Duke’s idea of where she wants to take her life. Duke said she was inspired by the different stories she heard throughout the day. She said she would like to help inmates in the future.

“It gave me so much hope that they are changing and how people can come from a terrible upbringing and still become a loving, amazing member of society,” Duke said. “Just because they were in jail, they are seen as bad people. Just because they made some bad decisions and didn’t have great circumstances and they are still seen as bad, as a prisoner and an outlaw in society.”

Duke said she loved the law enforcement aspect. She said enjoyed seeing what life was like as a prisoner and Duke said that going to the prison really paid off.

“It kind of makes it more realistic, seeing that side of the law,” Duke said. “Like we see what happens after the process, what happens to the people. What happens after the court hearing.”