by Marc Bekoff
APE, Boulder County Jail Cellblock B group leader
Boulder, Colorado

As part of the Roots & Shoots program, for which I'm a roving ambassador, I've been working at the Boulder County Jail over the past eight years. I teach animal behavior, conservation biology and animal and environmental ethics to the men living at the jail.

The discussions the men and I have are extremely interesting and wide-ranging, and it thrills me how outspoken and informed these men are about important issues. I never leave without having learned something that I incorporate into my daily life and my talks at professional meetings around the world.

The program in which I now teach is called "Transitions," and it¿s anticipated that the skills that the men learn will be used when they are released. The staff members in Program Support Services for the Boulder County Sheriff's Office have worked closely with me to be sure that this will happen. When each segment of the course is over or when someone is released, they receive a diploma to show that they have taken part in the course and successfully graduated from it.

In my groups with the men at the jail, we talk about animal behavior and spend considerable time discussing ethics—how humans should interact with animals and with the environment. Our discussions at the jail—of animal behavior, animal protection, sustainability and climate change—rival those of my university classes. The men's debates about animal thinking, emotions, pain and ethics are informed and moving.

It never fails to impress me that many of the men with whom I work are also incredibly hopeful individuals. They're helping to nurture hope among youngsters by writing letters and poems telling kids about the mistakes they themselves have made, stressing that jail isn't the place to be if they really want to make a difference in the world.

Here are some of their messages to young people:

You don't want to be like us. It's up to you to change the world and make it a better place.

Obtaining an education will help unlock the doors to gaining opportunities.

Be happy. Time passes very fast, so please don't waste it. You are all very special.

Be a kid, have fun, play ball in the afternoon sun . . . climb trees and care about the birds . . . have simple days and simple ways.

We can all learn from one another, and we need to build bridges that carry messages of hope, peace, respect, compassion and love. Perhaps now more than ever, everyone should be encouraged to spread the word, for there are many reasons for hope.

What are your reasons for hope? Share them on the Roots & Shoots Discussion Boards.

A long-time volunteer for Roots & Shoots and supporter of the Jane Goodall Institute, Marc Bekoff has served our programs through outreach and resource development. He taught biology at the University of Colorado, Boulder for more than 30 years, is the author of many books and travels widely spreading messages of hope.

Photo: Cliff Grassmick, Boulder Daily Camera