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Panel gives views on drug war
 Media Credit: Matthew Kaster/Contributing Photographer Mark Berkson, a professor at Hamline University, speaks during “The War on Drugs: A Different Perspective” Monday night in the Atwood Theater. The presentation was a part of the 20th annual week of nonviolence.
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This is the first of a two part series that will conclude Monday.
While some consider America’s war on drugs a heroic effort to take dangerous people out of society, people like Mary Gaines and Martha Taylor have another perspective.
With a clean record, Gaines, as a working class single mother of two children with two jobs, was surprised to find herself a convicted felon under the conspiracy law. For simply being aware of where marijuana could be purchased, Gaines spent eight years, nine months, 15 days and two hours in prison.
“Not only did they give me time, they moved me out of the state and separated me from my children,” Gaines said.
Gaines said her children, who were 10- and 15-years-old when she was sent away, were ashamed to tell others where their mom was. Separating mothers from their children contributes to a perpetual cycle.
“This leads to a second generation of offenders.” Gaines said. “Why? They’re mad, sad, angry and they don’t know another way.”
This is why Gaines believes the war on drugs has ultimately become a war against women and children. Although women are less likely than men to be dealers, they are more likely to go to jail than men for simply being associated with someone who uses or deals drugs.
“To see what the face of the average person in jail for conspiracy looks like, all you have to do is look in the mirror.”
When Gaines questioned the 40-member audience that gathered in Atwood Little Theater about how many people at least knew of someone who sold drugs, nearly everyone raised their hand. This perhaps goes to show that under the conspiracy law a large percentage of the college campus could be eligible for conviction.
“The entire conspiracy law within itself has nothing to do with safety, it’s all about the dollar,” Gaines said. “Prisons are part of the industrial complex and they’re making money.”
This is perhaps why many new prisons for women have arisen in the past few years and why private companies are interested in the prisons. At the same time people are losing their jobs because companies are downsizing, people like Gaines are being asked to help assemble parts for private companies for a salary of 12 cents an hour.
While in federal prison, Gaines was amazed to see how many women of all cultures were there for non-violent crimes.
“I was surprised; there were women like yourselves there,” Gaines said as she addressed the largely white audience. “And when you sit in one place for so long, women just bond.”
Gaines said women like Martha Taylor became the mentors for her and others in prison.
Taylor, who was struggling to make ends meet as she worked as a caretaker and tried to take care of her family, did what she had to do to survive.
“I had nothing but $1,600 to my name and one day as I was driving down the street I ran into one of the boys I grew up with,” Taylor said. “When I told him about my struggle he said he’d show me how to make money and he did.”
Taylor began selling drugs for money to pay bills. When she wasn’t home, one of the children took phone calls and left messages for her. To make sure that her brother stayed out of trouble for possessing a gun, Taylor put it in her house. When the authorities caught up with Taylor, each of these pieces made the price she would pay in prison even higher. Taylor, who was 52 at the time, was sentenced to 20 years in prison. The fact that Taylor’s children had answered the telephone when buyers called meant they were connected and were each eligible to serve time. Her children served an average of six months each after working out plea bargains.
Last March, Taylor was released after completing a drug program. Being out of prison is scary for 65-year-old Taylor. Everyday is a challenge, as there is little support to help people in Taylor’s position re-establish their lives.
Gaines explained that although she began to appreciate time, as she watched over eight years of it pass, she was angry.
“I had a chip on my shoulder for a long time and I still do about somethings,” Gaines said.
But rather than being consumed by her anger, she used it as a motivation to help other women. Gaines started the non-profit organization called Federal Females Organizing and Restoring Unity for Mothers to help other mothers who are in prison for non-violent crimes be reunited with their children. Her organization provides everything from transit systems for children, to youth mentorship programs, to networking with other services.
Gaines helps women like Taylor get back on their feet when they get out of prison and is doing her part to help stop the cycle of second generation criminals by supporting children.
“Don’t tell me what a woman can’t do when she connects with other women and her children,” Gaines said with a smile of hope.
Sharon K. Sobotta can be reached at: [email protected]
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