Published: December 01, 2008 04:50 pm      

Lessons learned the hard way

Federal inmates speak to at-risk students

“You deserve a better life and today is the day to start.”

Those were the words to Darrin Wiggins, one of three inmates serving time for drug-related offenses at the federal penitentiary in McCreary County, who came to London Tuesday to speak to at-risk children.

It was a scene right out of the 1978 movie, “Scared Straight.” Three inmates telling the students about the harsh realities of prison life in an effort to get them to learn from the prisoners’ mistakes. The inmates are members of the Present Awareness Tomorrow’s Habits Program at the prison, which gives non-violent offenders the opportunity to speak to area groups.

Darrin Wiggins of Robinsville, N.C., Jamal Badgett of Knoxville, Tenn., and Terry Wood from Muhlenberg County, who are serving eight years, 10 years and 10 years, respectively, spoke about the circumstances that got them involved in drugs and the price they have paid.

Wood, who is three years into his 10-year sentence, explained how the time in prison had led him to miss the simple things in life that other people may take for granted, such as riding his four-wheeler, fishing with his parents and grilling a burger with his friends.

Wood went on to tell the students that while mom and dad may have been able to save them from serious punishment in the past, if they continue, the day will come when mom and dad can’t save them, especially if the trouble is drug related.

“Society is fed up with drug, alcohol and even tobacco abuse,” Wood said. “Now, one single mistake concerning drugs or alcohol can send you to prison.”

Wiggins, said he started using alcohol and drug recreationally while he was still in high school, progressing from drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana to ecstasy and prescription drugs.

Though his parents knew about his drug use, Wiggins said they chalked it up to youthful indiscretion.

“My mom and dad said I was just trying to find myself,” Wiggins said. “But, I went the other way.”

The other way led to a conviction for manufacturing methamphetamine in a national forest. However, Wiggins said his time in prison has likely saved his life, as he has been forced to address his drug abuse and admit that it is his fault.

“They did me a favor by locking me up,” Wiggins said.

Though he thought he wasn’t hurting anyone else with his drug abuse, Wiggins said he has learned the hard way that is lie. In 2007, his grandfather passed away.

“Before he died, he told my mama that his biggest disappointment in his life was how (I) turned out,” Wiggins said.

Wiggins said his family is one of the reasons he is part of the PATH Program.

“My mama is so happy that I’m in this program,” Wiggins said. “She told me, ‘You are doing something that is worthwhile.’”

Mark Gibson, a corrections’ counselor at the prison, who escorted the inmates to Laurel County, said the inmates will do about 25 of these programs in a given year in McCreary and the surrounding counties. Between Oct. 2008 and Jan. 2008, 13 appearances are scheduled.

Organizers who may be interested in having the inmates speak to a group may contact Gibson at 354-7061.

Staff Writer Dean Manning may be reached at dmanning@sentinel-echo.com.