My2Centz talks to Dave Lonewolf, an inmate and lead facilitator of the Victim Impact Class at FCI Beckley.
I caught up with Lonewolf, the Victim Impact facilitator here at Beckley, to talk about the class he teaches. We met out on the yard and I could see he was uncomfortable. I noticed he had swastika tattoos on the back of his lower legs so I wondered if I was making him uneasy. A group of skinheads was sitting nearby - was he part of their group? Then I asked, ‘Why do you have swastika tats? And he answered, with humility, that he did it when he was young and sees them as one of the biggest mistakes he’s made, and truly regrets having done it. His discomfort was actually shame. I knew then that he wasn’t part of the skinhead mob and I proceeded with the interview.
My2Centz: How did you get involved in teaching Victim Impact?
Lonewolf: It was part of my treatment plan when I was in the drug program in the state prison system.
M2C: Yeah I feel you. I took it because Maza said he would drop my custody points by two points then I'd be able to go to a low security prison. You took Victim Impact because you had to, and then you became a facilitator? That is a pretty big leap, how did that happen?
LW: Well, I gained a spiritual and emotional awakening while I was in Victim Impact, it changed my life, and how I think. I realized I wanted to help people the way I was helped.
M2C: Man, that’s what’s up. So, Victim Impact gave you a purpose?
LW: Absolutely. Everybody has a story of being a victim, to some degree. When I took the class I learned that I was also a victim. I suffered when I was younger from neglect and abuse. I realised that my criminal behaviour was connected to the unresolved anger about being abused. This got me to want to understand more so I can be a better person for my family.
M2C: So you are going to continue with Victim Impact when you get out?
LW: Yeah, but this program is only for the prisoners.
M2C: We are at week nine, how many weeks are there in this class?
LW: Thirteen in all. We’ve covered property crime, assault, robbery, hate and bias crime, gang crime, sexual assault, child abuse and neglect. We have intimate partner violence, drunk driving and homicide left to cover. Then after that we talk about ‘making amends.’
M2C: Making amends? Who do you think you have to make amends with?
LW: With yourself first. You have to heal yourself first then you can take action to make amends to the people you’ve hurt. That’s when you begin to help others heal.
M2C: Thanks Lonewolf, thanks for talking to My2Centz.
LW: No problem. Anytime.