I showed up at the local jail prepared to hold my regular weekly bible study class. As I waited, other volunteers accumulated in the lobby – G.E.D. teachers, art teachers, AA group facilitators and me. Oh, and there were several “weekenders”. Apparently these guys serve time part-time – not sure exactly how it works, but it strikes me as odd that you would just show up and check in, like you’re on a business trip checking in to your hotel, and then wait patiently for someone to come and get you and lock you up.

While no one in jail is ever in a hurry, tonight it took an exceptionally long time before a guard came to check us in. We were asked to “stand by”.

I went to the bathroom while I was waiting, and for a moment I was tempted to steal a roll of toilet paper. I knew we were running low at home, and there was a loose roll just sitting there, and for a moment it crossed my mind to just take it. Imagine me stealing TP from the jail! I don’t have a stealing problem. I’ve never been turned on by shoplifting. I can’t say why this thought was so appealing to me except that I love irony.

I said NO to this impulse.

Next thing we knew the guard was informing us that they were experiencing a “massive security threat” and they would not be allowing volunteers in. I don’t know exactly what that meant, but “massive security threat” are not words you want to hear in jail. So I headed back home. No jail for me tonight.