Unfortunately, as I write this, with all of the great and positive work that has taken place in the Augusta Pre-Reentry "Self Governing" Community there was an attempt to dismantle it because we are now under new management as Jeffrey Brown our previous Unit Manager has transferred to another prison. The temporary Unit Manager, (T. Back) was trying to remove guys who had more than five (5) years left to do even though they signed a contract to stay in the community for at least a 12 week cycle (3-6 months) unless they become Liaisons/Mentors.
It's no mystery that we have not had the support of the administration here but it's hard for us to accept the fact that the same people who are tasked with your rehabilitation don't give a damn about it.
Well, today maybe we broke some ground through the Assistant Warden as she stopped all of the moves. Perhaps she will get more involved since the Warden has also transferred to a different facility. We are trying our best but it can be discouraging to many. We do our best to keep up the morale its just hard sometimes to maintain the energy level. Ultimately we will not go down without a fight so we are prepared to go to the highest authorities in the DOC, the press, and the Legislature.
One day, perhaps the VADOC will realize their mission to create a learning and healing environment and truly live out the fact that they say that Re-entry starts when you first come in to the DOC, but besides the Pre-Reentry here at Augusta, there is nothing that fulfills that. It's crazy when you have the goose that laid the golden egg, and then you want to stomp the egg. I hope we can withstand the pressure.
Hassan Shabazz, Senior Liaison of the Pre-Reentry Community, VAPOC/VAPJN