Critical Thinking and Perception Paper Perception is Reality! Oh Really

A few years ago I moved to Georgia. I was hired to be a part time office manager of a real estate appraisal firm. Unbeknown to me, the company owed back taxes to the Internal Revenue Service. The IRS came into the office and seized all of the companies' bank accounts and assets. All of a sudden, I had to scramble to find a new job. I was unable to fine work immediately as an appraiser so; I took a part time job with the Georgia Department of Corrections. What I thought to be true and what reality was; were two different things. I believed that the individuals incarcerated were being punished and were not able or allowed to do much of anything. Additionally, I believed that they basically sat in a jail cell and read books, drew pictures or wrote letters. I also believed that they were law abiding while in prison.

English: United States Internal Revenue Service Cr...

Prison Industrial Complex #occupysanquentin

Exterior of the Internal Revenue Service office in...

In other words, I believed that they were limited in not being able to break the law. Additionally, I assumed they had virtually no contact with the outside world.

After 2 weeks of intense training in self-defense, first aid, and conflict resolution, I was then sent to cell block6 (Death Row). This is where my perceptions began to give way to reality. I found that almost every inmate had a television and that free cable was provided with many movie channels available. Most inmates had stereos with many CD's. However, they were required to wear headphones while listening to their music. I was surprised to find that the law mandated many privileges to the incarcerated individuals. Three hot meals a day was served and family members could send the inmates care packages at Christmas up to 100 lbs. In addition, there is a prison store...