Harold Keller / L’Observateur / September 27, 1999

I get a lot of calls to visit people in jail. I try to honor every request. Afew days ago, I received a call from the grandmother of a young man who was incarcerated in another parish. “He’s a nice boy,” she said. “He onlyneeds a little help and better direction in his life.” I then asked her whatthe charges were, and she told me DWI (Driving While Intoxicated). “Howlong has he been in jail?” I asked. “About 30 days,” she answered. Ipromised to visit the young man the next day, and I did.

He was 33 years old, seemed to be nice and, like most people who are incarcerated, was anxious to talk. “I understand that you are charged withDWI and have been in jail 30 days, to be exact?” “Your first DWI?” I asked.

“No, sir,” he replied. (People really get polite in jail.) “My third DWI, butthe last one wasn’t my fault.” Then he quickly added, “I’ve never been inany trouble.” “Never been in any trouble!” I said. “Son, you’ve been in jail 32 days,you’ve had three DWIs, and you’ve never been in trouble?” I sarcastically added. “Son, society considers that trouble!” Anxiously, he said, “Yes, butthe last one wasn’t my fault!” (It’s amazing how the majority of people in jail think they’ve been framed.) “OK, tell me what happened,” I said.”Well,” he said, “I got in a wreck at about 3 in the morning. The other carwas in the wrong. We called the policemen and it took them over one hourto come. I was tired waiting, got thirsty, and had six beers in the car, so Idrank the six beers. When the policeman came, they gave me a DWI.” It washard for me not to laugh. Did I believe the story? Yes, because nobodycould make up something so absolutely ridiculous.

The young man said that he really wanted help. I agreed to direct him to arehab center when he is released.

His grandmother was right. He was a nice boy. She was a little off-basewhen she said that he needed a little help. He needs plenty! As far as adifferent direction, he needs a completely new road map for his life.

As the visit came to a close, we prayed and agreed to keep in touch.

“Do me a favor,” I asked. “Don’t tell the judge that story about your thirdDWI. In fact, if I had been the arresting officer, beside the DWI you werecharged with, I would have given you a ticket for excessive stupidity!” He just laughed.

Harold Keller is a regular columnist for L’Observateur

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