Would prison volunteering be controversial?

[karats]

I have the opportunity to volunteer at a prison. They actually have seem neat programs like literacy classes, culinary classes, health education, job readiness, and other things. I just don't know if volunteering with this population could be seen as sort of controversial...? Thoughts?

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[NimbleNavigator]

I think that's pretty awesome, and even though I'm not an adcom I think that they will too. Respect, man.

 

[gyngyn]

Not controversial.

 

[Shirafune]

It actually sounds super cool and really worthwhile.

 

[JustaDO]

Just make sure you don't give anyone a "emergency break" so they can go flush drugs down the toilet.

 

[Catalystik]

I have the opportunity to volunteer at a prison. They actually have seem neat programs like literacy classes, culinary classes, health education, job readiness, and other things. I just don't know if volunteering with this population could be seen as sort of controversial...? Thoughts?

Volunteering in a prison will help your application stand out, as it's not commonly done.

 

[karats]

Not controversial.

Volunteering in a prison will help your application stand out, as it's not commonly done.

Thank you for your input! I am interested in it because I like the different programs they offer, and I like the idea of helping people get back on their feet and become productive members of society. It is also easy for me to get to this place. I am just curious if volunteering with people who were incarcerated raises questions about my background? I was never arrested and never went to jail (knock on wood!) but I feel like they will wonder what my motives were for wanting to volunteer here. Even @gonnif prefaced his statement with the fact that "as long as it's not part of my own rehab." I would not mind answering any questions about it because as I said I never got into legal trouble (knock on wood...) but it would make me a little uncomfortable if they did assume it to begin with.

 

[gyngyn]

I am just curious if volunteering with people who were incarcerated raises questions about my background? .

Absolutely not.

 

[TheBiologist]

not controversial at all; very interesting and different, med schools would like that. shows you care about people, even those who aren't as fortunate as you and I

 

[Goro]

Just the contrary, very admirable. Just don't let the prisoners have any contraband, especially drugs.

I have the opportunity to volunteer at a prison. They actually have seem neat programs like literacy classes, culinary classes, health education, job readiness, and other things. I just don't know if volunteering with this population could be seen as sort of controversial...? Thoughts?

 

[Pagan FutureDoc]

I did it. It was looked on very favorably in every interview it was brought up in.

I can't imagine a scenario where it would be looked on poorly (unless it was court ordered volunteerism)

 

[paul2752]

That sounds very admirable of you. Being suspicious of you for volunteering in jail is absurd