Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 13, 1970)
Hyde Park Ex-con-works for prison reform The number of young people imprisoned for draft resistance . and drug abuse is causing a change in the U.S. prison system, according to ex-convict Virgil Keels. Talking about prison reform at Thursday's Hyde Park, Keels said, "The youth getting into prisons are politically oriented, and they're talking to the older prisoners about reform." He cited as evidence of this change the recent prison riots and holding of hostages to de mand reform. Society has ignored prisoners because "there are no voters in prisons' Keels saiU Prison administrators have not had to be responsible to anyone for their human product, he add ed. He Would like to see com munity resources used to help the criminal. Sending men under sentence for a crime to a "com munity correctional center under supervision" would be preferable to sending men to "vegetate" in prison. Drawing on his own ex perience of 22 years in 7 penal institutions, Keels described the bitterness and frustration nourished in prison. "Ignorance is never replaced by knowledge in prison," so the man returns to crime when he is released. Keels spoke of the guards'" brutality, adding that "both the prisoner and guard are equal in mentality, the only difference ' Is that one goes home at night." Once imprisoned in Alcatraz, Keels spoke with knowledge of conditions there. Prisoners were not allowed reading material or radios and were only allowed to talk for one hour a week, he said. "These dudes are sharp." If their ingenuity is remotivated, if they are given an opportuni ty, prisoners will ; not be alienated from society when they leave prison," he Said. While in Alcatraz, Keels talked with the late Robert Kennedy, who inspected the prison in his capacity as U.S. Attorney General. Keels said he has received "a lot of inspiration from people who have heLped me. The only way I'll go back to prison will be a case of mistaken identity." Keels is currently on a 55 college campus tour to "inform and recruit people for a change in the prison system." His book, The Other Side of the Desk, outlines his ideas on prison reform. Keels . also serves as a program consultant for the National Coordinating Keels ... If their Ingenuity is remotivated, if they are given an opportunity,, prisoners will not be alienated from society when they leave prison. Who is PACE? Students helping students. That's what PACE is. PACE is sharing a chance for a university education. Reaching out a hand to help students less fortunate than ourselves. PACE is you . . . the students of the university . . working to change things for the better. A challenge, to you, to show your com mitment, to make the university a better place. i v " Take that challenge. BACK PACE. Sign the PACE petition in your living unit. : . Council on Drug Abuse In formation and Education. He also received an award from former President Johnson for services rendered to the President's Commission on the Causes and Prevention of Violence. TOOTH AT 8:00 P.M. HURRY, STILL CHOICE SEATSI LUCKY FRIDAY 13th 432-1465 13th & P Street Continuous from 1 P.M. NOW SHOWING! Matinee $1.23 After PM $1.71 A film about the guy who started it all! r::::::IRHH R51 fcrri :5 :: i I VbmLb '0uMMji -maty . EXTRA ADDED TEAGARDEN & VAN WINKLE ALL SEATS RESERVED $3.50-$4.S0-$S.50 AUDITORIUM BOX OFFICE OPEN 12 NOON TILL CURTAIN See Elvis sing many of his greatest hits ! Molio-Goldwyn Mayer presonfe ELVIS PRESLEY in "THAT'S THE WAY IT IS"J fjr5 dirnctnd bv DENIS SANDERS PANAVISION- METROCOLOR mum I I . C- features at ltIS, 3:15, 5:15, 7:15 and 9:15 P M. id! Si l n Swcfis&rH IIM ill A ml ! v New brew for the new breed r i May the day come soon when we frght our battles only on football fields and each of us, together, works for peace elsewhere. "1 - Peace! Make it happen. retMrt et Delta Uetilen FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1970 THE NEBRASKAN PAGE 3