Can you imagine the effect of hearing the sound of motorcycles rumbling past your prison cell block? That is all that could be imagined this year, because our 9th Annual Bike Show was rained out and became a “biker” show. Each year, including this year, riders go into Stony Mountain Institute for the Bike Show. Often many of these riders have not been into a federal prison before. So for one day a sector of the community gets to be a volunteer and give some outside relations to the inmates. They discuss motorcycles, places here and there; they talk about home towns and family. By the end of a day friendships are built and letters will be mailed. Inmates are encouraged and the rider sector of the community goes home to their families, jobs and neighbours with a better view of the Institution and its inhabitants, both staff and inmates.

Over the years I have been able to follow some of the effect on institution/community due to the Bike Show. Some have continued to write letters; others have moved into the CSC volunteer force. They have joined the culture programs such as the Lifers’ Club or A.A. program. Others have joined the community chaplainry programs and most have joined Open Circle. This organization partners the community with the prison inmates. Inmates who have no regular visitors find themselves hooked up with a new friend who commits to regular visits. It is an ongoing job. It does not finish. New volunteers come, but some depart, some pass away, some move away. The cord of connection between institution and community needs to stay in place through little events like a motorcycle show.

Riding everywhere, Chuck Sheridan