Recently, a student asked for my assistance in guidance to produce an essay on the “economics of incarceration” in the United States, specifically, for the state of Virginia. The request brought back distant memories of my one-year employment with the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC). My reminiscences of that year were not painful, but rather pleasant. Not painful, with the exception of our uniform “Corfam” dress-shoes made by DuPont. The shoes were plastic coated black sheen that you didn’t have to polish. However, the disadvantage was that most of us were on our feet all day long and there was no breathing room, which led to persistent aching. As a new Christian-leaning correctional officer, I was respectful and kind to the inmates. I thought it was bad enough that they had so much time to serve, so why should I add to their mental or physical uneasiness. The prison population was approximately 700-900 and I knew by face and first name approximately 300 of the prisoners. One day I was called in by the superintendent and ordered not to address the prisoners by thei
My time in a correctional facility
in News
Related Posts
Latest News from Korea
- Lee’s approval rating hits highest level since inauguration: poll
President Lee Jae Myung’s approval rating climbed to 66 percent, marking its highest level since he took office last June, a survey showed Friday. The survey by Gallup Korea, conducted Tuesday through Thursday on 1,002 respondents aged 18 and over, showed that the positive assessment of Lee’s overall performance gained 1 percentage point from the previous week. The negative assessment… Read more: Lee’s approval rating hits highest level since inauguration: poll - Indonesian, French presidents to pay state visits to Korea in late March, early AprilThe presidents of Indonesia and France are scheduled to make state visits to Korea and hold summit talks with President Lee Jae Myung from late March to early April. According to the presidential office on Friday, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will pay a state visit to Korea from March 31 to April 2 at Lee’s invitation. The visit will mark… Read more: Indonesian, French presidents to pay state visits to Korea in late March, early April
- Gov’t rejects Japan’s renewed Dokdo claim, vows firm responseThe presidential office on Friday rejected Japan’s renewed territorial claim over Dokdo, stressing that no sovereignty dispute exists over Korea’s easternmost islets. It vowed a firm response to what it described as Tokyo’s unjustified assertions. “Dokdo is clearly an integral part of Korea’s territory historically, geographically and under international law,” the presidential office said in a statement. “There is no… Read more: Gov’t rejects Japan’s renewed Dokdo claim, vows firm response
- Industry minister says fuel price cap system already showing price stabilization effectIndustry Minister Kim Jung-kwan said Friday the government’s fuel price cap system is already showing signs of stabilizing prices less than a day after taking effect. Kim held a meeting with officials from Korean oil refineries, gas stations and the Korea National Oil Corp. to review the domestic energy markets on the first day of the fuel price cap system’s… Read more: Industry minister says fuel price cap system already showing price stabilization effect
- From chaebol to NIS agent: Virtual boyfriends in ‘Boyfriend on Demand’Since its release on March 6, Netflix’s “Boyfriend on Demand,” led by BLACKPINK’s Jisoo, has captured both Korean curiosity and global buzz. Beyond its star power and glossy production, the show taps into a distinctly modern fantasy — the comfort of love without the risk of heartbreak. At the heart of the story is Seo Mi-rae, a webtoon producer worn… Read more: From chaebol to NIS agent: Virtual boyfriends in ‘Boyfriend on Demand’
Latest Entertainment from Korea
- LE’V Steps Into the Light: “Spotlight Soul” Captures the Artistry, Growth, and Glow of a New Era in the 2026 Season’s Greetings CollectionPhoto Credits: CHROMOSOME LE’V Illuminates 2026 with “Spotlight Soul” LE’V enters 2026 with a statement that feels both cinematic and deeply personal. His Season’s Greetings “Spotlight Soul” concept photos reveal a striking evolution — one that merges emotional depth with artistic clarity. The project, released as a collector’s visual experience, celebrates not just another year but LE’V’s firm grasp on identity, craft,… Read more: LE’V Steps Into the Light: “Spotlight Soul” Captures the Artistry, Growth, and Glow of a New Era in the 2026 Season’s Greetings Collection
- KiiiKiii Leesol & Haum Illuminate SPUR x Dior Addict’s January 2026 Issue with Daring Light, Sensual Motion, and New Beauty CodesPhoto Credits: SPUR Dior Starship Entertainment A New Year, A New Iconic Pairing SPUR Magazine opens 2026 with a collaboration that feels both intimate and electric. The January 2026 Issue Pictorial Preview showcases KiiiKiii Leesol and Haum in a visual dialogue infused with Dior Addict’s luminous rebellion. Titled “Light Moves: The Addict State of Mind”, the spread captures the interplay of motion, reflection, and self-definition—a signal… Read more: KiiiKiii Leesol & Haum Illuminate SPUR x Dior Addict’s January 2026 Issue with Daring Light, Sensual Motion, and New Beauty Codes
- Breaking Boundaries: ifeye × KITTO Taiwan Redefine Visual Storytelling in the January 2026 Pictorial — A Fusion of Innovation & IdentityPhoto Credits: Hi-Hat Entertainment The Convergence of Vision and Identity The January 2026 Pictorial from ifeye × KITTO Taiwan marks a defining moment in East Asian creative media. Framed as both a celebration and an evolution, the collaboration bridges art direction, fashion narrative, and technological fluidity to capture a new generation’s pulse. More than a photoshoot, this issue acts as a visual manifesto—an exploration of… Read more: Breaking Boundaries: ifeye × KITTO Taiwan Redefine Visual Storytelling in the January 2026 Pictorial — A Fusion of Innovation & Identity
- Xiaoting in Full Bloom: Kep1er’s Shining Star Redefines Power, Grace, and Global Glamour in Wonderland China’s January 2026 Cover StoryPhoto Credits: KLAP ENTERTAINMENT Kep1er’s Xiaoting Captures the Moment Kep1er’s Shen Xiaoting steps into 2026 as a muse of modern elegance, fronting the January 2026 Wonderland China cover with an aura that’s both futuristic and fiercely grounded. As one of the brightest stars of her generation, Xiaoting embodies the balance between aspiration and artistry that defines global pop’s next chapter. “Confidence is not just… Read more: Xiaoting in Full Bloom: Kep1er’s Shining Star Redefines Power, Grace, and Global Glamour in Wonderland China’s January 2026 Cover Story
- BTS’s V Radiates Timeless Charisma in GQ Korea x Cartier’s February 2026 Cover: A Monument to Modern Elegance and Emotional PrecisionPhoto Credits: GQ Korea – Cartier – BigHit Music. – BTS V x Cartier: The Sound of Stillness and Strength For GQ Korea’s February 2026 issue, the cover unfolds like a cinematic confession. BTS’s V (Kim Taehyung)—known for his magnetic duality of mystery and warmth—joins forces with Cartier, the house synonymous with precision, artistry, and legacy. Together, they create a visual symphony that celebrates… Read more: BTS’s V Radiates Timeless Charisma in GQ Korea x Cartier’s February 2026 Cover: A Monument to Modern Elegance and Emotional Precision
Learn People & History of Korea
- The Evolution of Busan: A Historical Journey Through South Korea’s Second Largest Metropolitan CityAncient Beginnings: The Founding of Busan Busan, known as the second largest metropolitan city in South Korea, has a rich history that dates back to ancient times. The earliest recorded existence of Busan can be traced to the Goryeo Dynasty, where it was referenced as a vital coastal settlement. Its strategic location along the southeastern coast of the Korean Peninsula… Read more: The Evolution of Busan: A Historical Journey Through South Korea’s Second Largest Metropolitan City
- The Evolution of Pyongyang: A Journey Through History, Economy, and Political DynamicsIntroduction to Pyongyang Pyongyang, the capital city of North Korea, serves as a prominent symbol of the nation’s history and culture. Geographically located on the banks of the Taedong River, in the southwest part of the country, Pyongyang is situated within a strategic area that has historically facilitated trade and cultural exchange. The city’s origins can be traced back to… Read more: The Evolution of Pyongyang: A Journey Through History, Economy, and Political Dynamics
- The Evolution of Seoul: From Ancient Korea to Modern Metropolis and BeyondAncient Beginnings: The Founding of Seoul The city of Seoul, known today as the vibrant capital of South Korea, has ancient roots that trace back to the Three Kingdoms period of Korea, specifically the kingdoms of Baekje and Silla. Evidence suggests that Seoul was originally established as a settlement given its strategic geographical advantages. Nestled within the Han River basin,… Read more: The Evolution of Seoul: From Ancient Korea to Modern Metropolis and Beyond
- Exploring Korean Traditional Games in Squid Game: From Season 2 to Upcoming Season 3Introduction to Korean Traditional Games Korean traditional games have long been an integral part of the country’s cultural landscape, offering more than mere entertainment. These games, which range from simple children’s pastimes to complex community activities, hold significant cultural significance and often serve as a means of preserving history and promoting social interaction. Rooted in centuries of tradition, these games… Read more: Exploring Korean Traditional Games in Squid Game: From Season 2 to Upcoming Season 3
- Unveiling the Past and Present of Saju: The Art of Korean Fortune TellingIntroduction to Saju Saju, a traditional Korean fortune-telling practice, is an intricate art that seeks to interpret an individual’s fate based on their birth date and time. The term “Saju” translates to “four pillars” in English, referring to the four critical components derived from these time markers: year, month, day, and hour. This method holds significant cultural value within South… Read more: Unveiling the Past and Present of Saju: The Art of Korean Fortune Telling
