WEBVTT 1 00:00:07.700 --> 00:00:10.680 We're talking either be looking at him or be writing. 2 00:00:12.880 --> 00:00:15.740 And I'm going to ask you, you know, why did you get in touch with seven on your side? 3 00:00:15.900 --> 00:00:19.500 Tell me about the program and then I'll ask you a couple of questions and we'll be done. 4 00:00:19.780 --> 00:00:21.160 The hardest part's over. 5 00:00:22.220 --> 00:00:23.020 That's good to hear. 6 00:00:24.080 --> 00:00:24.440 Okay. 7 00:00:25.320 --> 00:00:26.040 All right. 8 00:00:26.060 --> 00:00:26.480 All right. 9 00:00:26.480 --> 00:00:26.640 All right. 10 00:00:26.640 --> 00:00:28.700 So make sure that when we talk, you look at me. 11 00:00:28.700 --> 00:00:30.140 That's the only thing I ask. 12 00:00:30.460 --> 00:00:30.780 All right. 13 00:00:30.860 --> 00:00:30.980 Rich. 14 00:00:31.360 --> 00:00:33.660 And I wrote action seven and I got good results. 15 00:00:33.840 --> 00:00:37.020 And again, this time I wrote action seven and received results. 16 00:00:37.180 --> 00:00:38.240 What's your problem here? 17 00:00:39.580 --> 00:00:41.000 There's no real problem here. 18 00:00:41.140 --> 00:00:46.380 We just have a volunteer fireman and they'd like to answer letters for Santa Claus this 19 00:00:46.380 --> 00:00:49.580 year and I thought action seven would give us some coverage on that. 20 00:00:49.800 --> 00:00:50.180 All right. 21 00:00:50.380 --> 00:00:50.840 All right. 22 00:00:50.920 --> 00:00:51.880 It's seven on your side. 23 00:00:52.100 --> 00:00:52.600 Remember that. 24 00:00:52.620 --> 00:00:53.100 Okay. 25 00:00:53.460 --> 00:00:55.620 Rich, why did you write seven on your side? 26 00:00:55.640 --> 00:00:56.520 What was the problem? 27 00:00:56.520 --> 00:01:01.520 Well, the men here at the institution wanted to write letters to little children and guards 28 00:01:01.520 --> 00:01:04.000 of what they're wanting for Christmas from Santa Claus. 29 00:01:05.040 --> 00:01:12.720 And in the past years, I've had results from action seven on your side and I thought you 30 00:01:12.720 --> 00:01:14.160 would give me coverage again this year. 31 00:01:14.740 --> 00:01:20.100 Now what is it that you do specifically motivates you to do this? 32 00:01:20.220 --> 00:01:21.220 Why do you do this? 33 00:01:21.880 --> 00:01:26.500 Well, I started this when I was at the institution in 75 and again this year I've asked the 34 00:01:26.500 --> 00:01:28.760 volunteer firemen and we have 20 men to do it. 35 00:01:29.060 --> 00:01:30.060 But why do you do it? 36 00:01:30.660 --> 00:01:31.240 I must... 37 00:01:31.240 --> 00:01:33.100 Who are involved in the program get the same feeling? 38 00:01:33.980 --> 00:01:38.700 Well, you can ask these two here but everyone, the 20 men I've talked to, they say they do. 39 00:01:39.120 --> 00:01:43.440 Now you have 20 men on the volunteer fire department but I understand that lots of other 40 00:01:43.440 --> 00:01:44.200 people volunteer. 41 00:01:44.280 --> 00:01:46.680 How many people volunteer to do this in here? 42 00:01:47.620 --> 00:01:51.040 Our count here at the institution is right around 15, 80. 43 00:01:51.740 --> 00:01:54.120 I'd say about 8% maybe of the institution. 44 00:01:54.420 --> 00:01:56.000 So that's about 120 people volunteer? 45 00:01:56.000 --> 00:01:57.120 Right, they volunteer. 46 00:01:57.220 --> 00:01:58.740 Now we don't accept all volunteers. 47 00:01:59.580 --> 00:02:04.040 We have a lot of guys that like to use it for a personal thing to get people's addresses 48 00:02:04.040 --> 00:02:07.340 to write for NASPR money and sell it, which we don't want no money. 49 00:02:07.640 --> 00:02:09.240 We enjoy the letters. 50 00:02:09.700 --> 00:02:14.060 We do answer the children and we don't promise the children exactly everything but we try 51 00:02:14.060 --> 00:02:15.380 to answer them as if we were Santa. 52 00:02:16.080 --> 00:02:20.640 Now how should little kids write to Santa Claus here? 53 00:02:21.820 --> 00:02:22.880 What should the address be? 54 00:02:22.880 --> 00:02:33.260 All they have to do is write Santa Claus, post office box 41-4659, Michigan City, Indiana, 46360. 55 00:02:34.140 --> 00:02:35.760 And Santa will receive the letter? 56 00:02:36.840 --> 00:02:41.260 Yes, Santa's helpers will receive them and we will get on them right away and answer 57 00:02:41.260 --> 00:02:42.120 each one personally. 58 00:02:42.680 --> 00:02:45.520 Every child who writes you will receive a letter in return? 59 00:02:45.620 --> 00:02:46.220 Yes, they will. 60 00:02:46.820 --> 00:02:49.680 Now should they send stamped self-addressed envelopes as well? 61 00:02:50.400 --> 00:02:55.100 They don't have to but we're asking this because in past years the postage is so high 62 00:02:55.100 --> 00:02:56.180 on something like this. 63 00:02:56.800 --> 00:02:59.240 When you get a letter without a stamp, who pays for it? 64 00:02:59.400 --> 00:03:01.500 This comes out of the inmates own account. 65 00:03:01.560 --> 00:03:04.740 We don't have no account from the institution or any money from the fire department. 66 00:03:04.940 --> 00:03:08.540 So in addition to the stamped self-adjusted envelopes, it might also help you if they 67 00:03:08.540 --> 00:03:09.780 sent you postage stamps too? 68 00:03:10.220 --> 00:03:12.360 If they could afford it but it's not necessary. 69 00:03:13.280 --> 00:03:13.600 Okay. 70 00:03:15.460 --> 00:03:16.900 Anything else you think needs to be added? 71 00:03:17.780 --> 00:03:18.980 Well, let me ask you one more question. 72 00:03:19.640 --> 00:03:20.040 Okay. 73 00:03:21.820 --> 00:03:25.760 Does any of this volunteer work, I know you all do this in your spare time, does any of 74 00:03:25.760 --> 00:03:29.900 this volunteer work affect your parole status or your clemency status? 75 00:03:31.360 --> 00:03:31.760 No. 76 00:03:33.120 --> 00:03:37.960 Myself, I'm under the new law, penal code in the state of Indiana and I'm doing flat 77 00:03:37.960 --> 00:03:42.180 time so I'd have to do half my time matter if I do this or I sit in my seat and watch 78 00:03:42.180 --> 00:03:47.720 TV and I get a lot of enjoyment watching TV but yet this no enjoyment as reading some 79 00:03:47.720 --> 00:03:49.340 of these letters as you have done yourself. 80 00:03:50.020 --> 00:03:52.800 And I, there's no way. 81 00:03:52.820 --> 00:03:56.460 Your reason and the reason that the men get involved in this for doing this is simply 82 00:03:56.460 --> 00:03:59.520 because it's the right thing to do and you're going to brighten up some child's Christmas. 83 00:03:59.880 --> 00:04:04.040 Well at the same time it's brightening ours too because we don't have a Christmas tree 84 00:04:04.580 --> 00:04:06.280 or can't exchange gifts or anything. 85 00:04:06.320 --> 00:04:09.580 The only thing we can do is exchange a Christmas card or shake each other's hands. 86 00:04:09.960 --> 00:04:11.580 But this here is our Christmas. 87 00:04:12.420 --> 00:04:12.680 Okay. 88 00:04:12.800 --> 00:04:13.580 Anything else you want to add? 89 00:04:14.360 --> 00:04:19.460 No, I would just like to thank the institution for preventing this and in past years the 90 00:04:19.460 --> 00:04:22.980 mail room, the ladies up there worked with us and I'm sure they will this year. 91 00:04:23.580 --> 00:04:28.900 Mr. Ed Jones, the director of classification is working with us and I actually, actually 92 00:04:30.000 --> 00:04:34.520 on your side, I really appreciate their coming in and giving us help. 93 00:04:35.200 --> 00:04:35.600 Okay, thanks. 94 00:04:35.620 --> 00:04:36.420 That's it Frank. 95 00:04:37.720 --> 00:04:38.020 Go ahead. 96 00:04:38.080 --> 00:04:40.120 You can just tell me this whole story all over again. 97 00:04:41.160 --> 00:04:42.740 About how contacting you and everything? 98 00:04:43.220 --> 00:04:47.940 Well I wrote for you and asked for coverage, news media, you know, because we want to get 99 00:04:47.940 --> 00:04:48.560 all of it. 100 00:04:48.600 --> 00:04:53.460 How should a little kid who wants to hear from Santa Claus get a letter back? 101 00:04:53.700 --> 00:04:54.420 Who should he write to? 102 00:04:54.660 --> 00:04:58.140 Write Dear Santa, Post Office Box 41, Michigan City, Indiana. 103 00:05:01.000 --> 00:05:02.320 Why do you guys do this? 104 00:05:03.000 --> 00:05:07.420 It brings a lot of joy and happiness to the inmate as well as the little children on the 105 00:05:07.420 --> 00:05:07.680 street. 106 00:05:08.560 --> 00:05:14.580 How many people in this institution totally volunteer to write letters as Santa's helpers? 107 00:05:15.020 --> 00:05:17.500 I'd say 128% of the population. 108 00:05:18.260 --> 00:05:18.820 Okay. 109 00:05:20.240 --> 00:05:24.020 Now will every letter be personally answered and screened and? 110 00:05:24.460 --> 00:05:25.940 Yes, yes it will be. 111 00:05:26.200 --> 00:05:30.600 Every letter is handwritten back and nothing is exactly promised but Santa will try and 112 00:05:30.600 --> 00:05:32.260 get the toys and clothing to him. 113 00:05:32.640 --> 00:05:33.940 How do you feel about doing this? 114 00:05:34.440 --> 00:05:35.220 How does it make you feel? 115 00:05:35.440 --> 00:05:36.600 It makes me feel really nice. 116 00:05:36.600 --> 00:05:39.600 It feels warm inside and really nice. 117 00:05:46.460 --> 00:05:51.100 Do you or any of the other prisoners get any special consideration for this? 118 00:05:51.280 --> 00:05:53.160 Do you get parole or clemency earlier? 119 00:05:53.660 --> 00:05:55.400 Well that would be nice but no. 120 00:05:56.380 --> 00:06:00.240 Most of the men on the fire department are lifers and the others are doing flat time. 121 00:06:01.960 --> 00:06:04.100 Okay, this is a manual Christmas story. 122 00:06:05.440 --> 00:06:06.920 Okay, fair enough. 123 00:06:07.820 --> 00:06:12.820 Okay, could you give me your full name and spell your full name and your title? 124 00:06:13.300 --> 00:06:15.280 Jack Raymond Duckworth. 125 00:06:15.900 --> 00:06:17.600 That sounds like a legal question. 126 00:06:19.080 --> 00:06:23.120 It's a last name is spelled D-U-C-K-W-O-R-T-H. 127 00:06:23.540 --> 00:06:24.320 And you are the? 128 00:06:24.460 --> 00:06:24.860 Warden. 129 00:06:25.280 --> 00:06:25.880 Not superintendent? 130 00:06:26.220 --> 00:06:26.780 No, warden. 131 00:06:27.300 --> 00:06:27.300 132 00:06:28.680 --> 00:06:33.360 Warden, why do you think of this program where the inmates get together and in fact become 133 00:06:33.360 --> 00:06:34.320 Santa's helpers? 134 00:06:34.960 --> 00:06:38.540 Well I see it as a constructive endeavor on their part. 135 00:06:39.480 --> 00:06:45.460 I think it's a way they have of being a contributing member of society. 136 00:06:46.360 --> 00:06:52.500 And I think when we recognize how we feel personally about it, we are all a child at heart. 137 00:06:52.960 --> 00:06:56.340 And I think we like to play the part sometime and help kids. 138 00:06:56.720 --> 00:06:57.920 How do you feel about it? 139 00:06:57.920 --> 00:06:59.660 What service does it do for the inmates? 140 00:06:59.780 --> 00:07:01.920 How do they feel when they talk to you about the program? 141 00:07:01.920 --> 00:07:08.860 Well I think they recognize the need to do something, to be helpful to somebody. 142 00:07:10.200 --> 00:07:14.740 And in one sense of the word I guess they feel they're paying their debt to society 143 00:07:14.740 --> 00:07:22.380 in a small way by helping someone else, someone that otherwise would possibly not be assisted 144 00:07:22.380 --> 00:07:23.160 in some way. 145 00:07:24.200 --> 00:07:26.120 What kind, no let me rephrase that. 146 00:07:26.120 --> 00:07:32.220 Do these guys get any kind of special consideration in terms of parole or clemency or special 147 00:07:32.220 --> 00:07:32.900 favors at all? 148 00:07:33.260 --> 00:07:38.280 No, this is not even a part that is considered at all. 149 00:07:39.020 --> 00:07:46.840 And frankly I'm glad that the men do not participate for any kind of remuneration or recognition. 150 00:07:47.300 --> 00:07:48.480 They do it on their own. 151 00:07:48.500 --> 00:07:50.380 They do it because they want to. 152 00:07:50.400 --> 00:07:51.700 It's a personal motivation. 153 00:07:52.080 --> 00:07:54.600 And I think it's an admirable motivation. 154 00:07:54.600 --> 00:07:57.260 So they do it really as a selfless gesture? 155 00:07:57.800 --> 00:07:58.680 Oh yes, oh yes. 156 00:07:59.220 --> 00:08:00.220 Is there anything else you want to add? 157 00:08:01.100 --> 00:08:09.880 Oh I just feel that it's an excellent opportunity for inmates as well as kids to recognize the 158 00:08:09.880 --> 00:08:10.920 worth in one another. 159 00:08:11.300 --> 00:08:20.280 And frankly I'm glad that our men here recognize the need and we're willing to be a contributing 160 00:08:20.280 --> 00:08:23.640 member of our society today, especially at Christmas time. 161 00:08:23.640 --> 00:08:25.260 Thank you. 162 00:08:25.320 --> 00:08:26.100 That's it Frank.