I am honored to introduce you to Alaynie Drury, a Calvin University senior who is interning for the Calvin Prison Initiative (CPI) as part of her Criminology and Psychology double major. As such, interning for CPI is only one aspect of how Drury is creating opportunities to be successful in what I am certain will be a brilliant future. Further, as a means of getting to know how a Knollcrest Campus student can get involved in interning or in other areas of interest, Drury and I sat down to discuss how she pursued what interests her. She candidly expressed her goals and hopes for other Knights who wish to build a restorative culture.
One of the most important messages that Drury wants to instill in others is to not be afraid to search and pursue opportunities that interest you, stating, “Be persistent when determining what you want your future to look like, know where you can find your sources, and be proactive in deciding your future.” What this looks like is for first-year students to understand that their heart may not be set on one thing, so they should branch out and feel for what else may interest them. More importantly, take advantage of the classes that may not be your “cup of tea.” This is where you might find a calling for something you didn’t know you liked. Further, for upperclassmen who are searching for internships, know that it is okay to branch out on your own and find your path. Listen for, follow and fulfill a personal calling with purposeful intentions — “Make your story what you experience, not just what you are taught.”
For instance, Drury enrolled at Calvin University on a path to major in pre-med on the neuroscience track. While in an English class, Drury began research for a paper on why programs are beneficial in prison. During her search, she sought out Dr. Todd Cioffi, who was, at that time, the Director of the CPI. After this experience, having always been fascinated with pursuing justice, Drury prayed and felt “called” to shift her academic focus, because criminology and psychology would provide Drury better sources with which to pursue justice. The outcome of Drury’s purposeful pursuit and interaction created space for herself to grow alongside others who are committed to pursuing a Christian worldview of justice.
Drury was intrigued to learn how CPI was formed and why it provides education to incarcerated persons. Her pursuit was not caused by mere curiosity, but by a genuine desire to understand the effect education and formation have on those who are incarcerated. Drury is proactive in pursuing her future, helping to change the way prisoners are viewed under the scrutinous sentiment of society.
While many students can feel tethered to a limited view of their future, Drury leaned into her Christian faith and found the strength to expand her worldview. She applies her knowledge by being deeply immersed in the change she is affecting: “As a Christian, I can look at others and see God. I am seeing more of God’s work through individuals who may not see God in themselves. If someone is interested in CPI, pre-law, criminology, working in prisons or restorative justice, they should seek out professors on campus that actually teach Calvin students at the Handlon Campus. Or, as an alternative, contact me on campus and we can talk about how to become involved and witness first-hand how education in prison is not taken for granted by carceral students. Learn and experience how students are applying their Calvin education to actively change the culture where they are planted by pursuing justice, healing and fostering ethical and moral attitudes toward one another.”
The tapestry that God is weaving in the human project requires purposeful participation. First, on God’s part by sending His Word and Spirit into this world to help guide our inner and outer workings. Second, on humankind’s part by actively engaging one another based on the calling for which we have been created. With this frame of mind, I asked Drury what her short-term and long-term goals looked like, and she stated, “Short-term is being able to see how the classes that I have taken up to this point correlate with one another along with seeing my classes through the lens of what is happening in our criminal justice system. Long-term, I want to be a voice for those who are incarcerated, not an idle voice but one that is navigating a game plan to overcome obstacles, and foster growth between mental health and education.”
“One of the reasons I was drawn to enroll at Calvin University is that I was fascinated to learn that Calvin allowed a wider Christian voice. I want to apply what I have learned and bring it to prisons where this culture can improve. My vision for restoring humanity begins with my work in prison; where society only depicts a horrible picture, I want to show the world that by framing the carceral setting with the implementation of programs, what they see can be transformed into God’s Kingdom masterpiece, and show us we are all made in the image of God,” said Drury.
I asked Drury to share one thing that being involved with CPI has taught her. Her response instilled in me a true sense of intention and purpose when she responded, “I have learned that everybody has a different story filled with personal experiences. Having CPI staff and professors coming into prison and treating students like humans is something that they are benefiting from. As a result of this impact, it is cool to hear what visions each student has for their future … plans on applying their education to transform their communities. CPI is providing avenues that each student can pursue — rewarding their transformative behavior. This is doing corrections in a restorative way.”
Adding to her experience alongside fellow Calvin students, Drury recognizes a need to “restore the idea that we have all made mistakes and have pieces of us that are broken and still need the guidance from God and others to be fixed.” I followed up by asking her what this would look like, and she responded, “Basically, if you are a victim, do not pursue hate, but look for forgiveness. If you are a perpetrator, do what you are able to restore what you have broken. If you are in the justice system, establish a swifter implementation of programs that are designed to correct criminal behavior.”
Further, it is important to implement programming which addresses certain needs on behalf of victims, even family members who are struggling with losing a loved-one to criminality. Drury stated, “I want to learn and live beyond what is already expected. Being able to experience what CPI is actively charged to pursue has allowed me to witness human interaction with the incarcerated from a positive perspective.”
However, the partnership between Calvin University, Calvin Theological Seminary, and the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) is not perfect. For instance, Drury was able to engage CPI students and hear their moments of stress while they balance personal life, education, the carceral environment itself, stories of dementia or even stories from men who are serving life sentences with goals of transforming their carceral communities. However, Drury also recognizes how “cross-over classes, inside-out classes, telecom interaction, lab and Bible studies, Intramural Ultimate Frisbee, along with Worship night as shared time between the campuses would go a long way in aiding in healing the brokenness.” Still, our goal for building a just society should not be limited to erasing the evil in the world but also to minimizing the effects of evil on humanity.
In the end, for all who are committed to the human project, how we participate matters. Drury would like to extend the opportunity to any Calvin student who would like to learn more about CPI, become involved with Restorative Justice, or just talk about ideas and concerns for why educational programs are an essential element to correcting criminal behavior. Further, we would also like for you to know that you have only read how CPI has enlarged Drury’s sphere of understanding. There is a part two to this story, where CPI students will talk about how Drury’s interaction with us has enriched our lives. We hope that you have enjoyed part one, and if you have any questions, concerns or simply want to explore, reach out to Drury.
For those interested in hearing more about opportunities for partnership between the Knollcrest campus and CPI, you can reach out to Alaynie Drury at [email protected].
