“Corruption doesn’t happen by accident”
In “Inside the DEATH FENCES”, her ‘memoir of a whistleblower, Caroline Giammanco, author tells her story, concentrating on experiences as a teacher in a maximum security prison in Missouri.
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Classes at the penitentiary include basic literacy for inmates who haven’t been taught those foundation pieces. Illiteracy seems odd to many of us ‘on the outside.’ We don’t recognize the people around us who are illiterate, but have figured out enough to function.
Giammanco is a Missouri native, who got her education and early career experience in Arizona. An articulate educator who doesn’t get in front of any classroom on a power trip.
She would have been happy to be teaching in a high school classroom forever. A regional economic slump sent her searching for employment anywhere.
‘Anywhere’ became what should be a good resource for society and individuals; the classrooms at the South Center Correctional Facility in Licking, Missouri.
Inside the DEATH FENCES enclosing the penal property were a stunning experience as Giammanco drove up to the facility for that job interview. The electrified, barbed fences surrounding the prison are purposely deadly. Escaping over the fence is not an option. Sadly, the fences hide a deeper deadly situation as the lives, minds and bodies of inmates AND staff are subjected to destructive abuse.
Rehabilitation Is Not A Goal
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After addressing pure illiteracy with beginning classes, the system offers more classes which focus on getting inmates a GED high school diploma. This certificate of training/learning is essential for many job applications. Inmates learn more than the rote facts that will permit them to pass an exam. They learn that they have a brain and can learn! They learn self-value.
Penitentiary life for inmates and staff is stressful confinement. There are specific rules of conduct between both entities. Giammanco was surprised when other teaching colleagues didn’t show respect for their inmate students.
Her classroom was generally successful because she taught in a two-way respect process with no tolerance for trouble makers. Those policies would be part of her experience of threats and harassment.
Love complicates things
An inmate tutor and Giammanco developed an attraction for one another. With video proof and the observation of colleagues and superiors, the couple can testify that they never violated the Department of Corrections’ regulations for no contact between inmates and staff.
In 2019, Caroline and Keith Giammanco were permitted more visitation privileges and to marry.
A whistleblower steps up to the Death Fences.
Caroline Giammanco applied for a teaching position at the SCCC because she is a teacher. She is well-trained, experienced and didn’t just ‘fall off the beet truck.’ She’s had life and classroom experience that would make her difficult to shock or surprise.
The mission of educating inmates makes highest sense. Giammanco could see that right away. People who are intelligent, but untaught and ignorant are at a disadvantage to live a life productive for themselves or society.
Having experience with high school and alternative school students, this teacher had developed a classroom process that works. Her students would be treated with firm respect, a touch of humor, but no nonsense. Discrimination and judgment have no place in an effective classroom.
Dishonorable Management Meets No-nonsense Teacher
When fellow staff made Giammanco a target for sharp, profane tongues,she knew her time at this teaching position was limited.
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More than the classroom
Finding staff who are capable at the wages offered is difficult. Because of short staff, Giammanco observed days and nights when guards would be assigned extra shifts.
According to her observations, inmates’ medical treatment was callously casual for both physical and mental care
Amongst the Chaos, All is Not Lost
Save A Pup
Penal systems across the country use some sort of animal rescue and training to occupy inmates. In Missouri, Puppies for Parole is a program that administrators are justifiably proud of. Dogs from pounds who have no future are trained by inmates to become good pets and service dogs.
Activity Helps
Daily employment is required. Inmates earn and learn about clothing and furniture making, machining where the product is delivered outside the penitentiary. Internal occupations include cooking, maintenance and some prison construction. The employment offers inmates earnings to spend at the internal commissary.
Learning Behind the Death Fences
Education from the smallest steps toward literacy to college level learning is still available to inmates. Some are determined to learn under tough circumstances and manage to graduate. Varied opportunities are offered for advanced vocational training. The skills list can be read at MO DOC Career and Training
The Death Fences Whistleblower Mission Lives On
Caroline Giammanco has testified at several hearing regarding Missouri Department of Corrections. She has written two other books. “Boonie Hat Bandit” and “Guilty Hearts: The World of Prison Romances.”
While working as a teacher in regional schools, Caroline G spends her free time pressing for prison reform for inmates and staff. She seeks fairness for herself and her husband. That battle goes on till this day.
I am a neighbor and considered a personal acquaintance and friend for both the author and her husband. The pre-publication copy given to me by the publisher is the object of this review. A review of any kind, positive or negative was not required.
Caroline Giammanco’s writing is clear, objective and not sensational or repetitive. Even the places that could seem salacious are written in a ‘just the facts, Ma’am’ voice. I respect this family and believe the story.
I’ve deliberately left many details, events and names out of this review. Readers must remember that Inside the DEATH FENCES is NOT FICTION. I challenge you as a reader to finish the book and learn.
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