The media often depicts jails and prisons as a chance to turn one’s life around. Those on the outside often hear about classes and programs inmates have the opportunity to take advantage of during their stay. Those on the inside often have a very different story to tell.
Three individuals who had spent time inside Montgomery County Jail, Carla Clanagan, Amy Pontaski and Maria Maneos, share a rather different experience when it comes to jail programming.
Clanagan, the 2016 winner of the Ivy Young Willis & Martha Dale Willis Award at Cabrini College, is the founder of the In His Eyes Outreach program. “A lot of unfortunate events took place and I ended up in the county jail,” Clanagan said.
While serving her time, Clanagan learned more about who she was. Through observations, she discovered that some of the other women were still unsure of who they were. “Once I got out, I really started reaching back and keeping in contact with these ladies,” Clanagan said. “That led to the formation of the organization.”
Now, nine years later, Clanagan has developed a mentoring program, a re-entry program and even parenting classes to keep women from losing custody of their children while incarcerated.
One of the first members of Clanagan’s reform program was Amy Pontaski. Pontaski was serving a six-month DUI sentence back in 2010 when she met Clanagan in a Bible study.
Around the time of Pontaski’s release, Clanagan was in the process of creating the Inside-Outside program with Dr. Gingrich. Pontaski and Clanagan would frequently stay in touch with one another. “She was like a big sister,” Pontaski said.
Shortly after her release, Pontaski was able to get a job at a wellness store. Unfortunately, they relocated and Pontaski lost her job. She thought this would be the best time to go back to school.
With the support of her fiance and the mentoring of Clanagan, Pontaski was able to earn her associate’s degree in accounting and medical office management. Currently, she is working towards her bachelor’s in accounting.
Maria Maneos, founder of Brush with the Law, created a visual reform program to help inmates cope with feelings and emotions. While visiting her son in jail, she noticed the overwhelming lack of programs available.“I saw all these kids sitting around and thought I could bring something [to them],” Maneos said. “I would enjoy working for these kids.”
In 2013, Maneos met with the warden about starting the program. She has seen outstanding results of art helping break down walls. Through art, she has noticed that students are able to talk about their deepest issues without feeling judged.
Although women like Clanagan and Maneos push for these reform programs, there is still major backlash from inside the prison itself.
Setbacks
The officers often give Maneos a hard time when it comes to her programming. “They don’t always like me coming in,” Maneos said. “The state makes it difficult to have programming.”
According to Pontaski, inmates would sign up for programs but not show up. Inmates, when interested in programming, would get put on a type of waiting list. Pontaski said this was very frustrating. Inmates often would get put into programs and never show up, taking a spot away from another inmate.
Maneos struggles to find supplies that she is able to bring into the jail.
Clanagan’s program depends on volunteers. Her biggest setback is the lack of volunteers. “It’s hard to find people to come to do anything,” Clanagan said.
Moving Forward
Pontaski now works at a methadone clinic. Here, she is able to apply both degrees in accounting and medical office management. She has also become a member of Clanagan’s program, Women Empowering Women. “Women need to build women up instead of breaking them down,” Pontaski said. “Just being helped by [Clanagan] has made me want to help others.”
Clanagan has spread beyond Montgomery County with her programming. In the past few months, Clanagan has started working with state and federal inmates in Philadelphia.
Maneos would like to see more programs. “If they’re good programming, I’d like to see them spread,” Maneos said. “I’d like to see more constructive programming about self-awareness.”
These programs have a huge impact on inmates’ lives. “Programs give people a reason to get up,” Pontaski said. “Otherwise, you’re sitting around doing nothing.”
Maneos’ experience in the prison is somewhat similar. “They feel forgotten,” Maneos said. “They need to feel the outside world is still there.”
Clanagan, Maneos and Pontaski have all been greatly impacted by prison reform programs. “There’s good that art can bring,” Maneos said. “Some have a hard time verbally expressing themselves.” Maneos’ and Clanagan’s programs are proof that these programs help inmates turn their life around.
“Coming out of jail, people need to know there is someone there,” Pontaski said. “Carla has done so much and I’m so happy.”
