Miriam Van Waters Papers. Male Prisoner Correspondence, 1927-1971. Correspondence: K, 1950-1955. A-71, folder 599. Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.

[text top right] {5 November 1965}

2.

King Tut (we think it's him) left his wife in a select spot in the long grass under the hospital office window. She is serene and comfy as can be. Looks very heavy with coming offspring. We toss her bread and greens every morning. In the afternoon about 3 o'clock, King Tut visits his lady, sometimes bringing along a friend, presumably Dr. Brer Rabbit to have a look. Anyway, we enjoy the scene immensely; and I can assure you the youngsters will have a warm place at least for awhile when finally delivered, as I already have the box-apartment ready for occupancy, complete with cozy corners under cover of a poor man's Afganistan appropriated for the purpose.

I conveyed your message to Donald Painten and Jack Larsen and they are glad.

I hope we may have a copy if you have one available, or when one will be available, on your writings about County Jails. Yes, over 350 of them constitutes a pretty formidable frame of reference. If you missed any, they must be in the far reaches of Alaska, and then only because there were no Huskies around that could keep up with you.

We have great respect and admiration for Sheriff Smith of the Worcester County House of Correction. He has done and continues to do a marvelous job there. Over a dozen men were graduated from the high school program he instituted there.

Best to Mary Marcin and Cynthia Thomas. The A on the typewriter just konked out on me.

With love ever, Jim Kerrigan

[text top right] W.Concord, Mass. November 20, 1965

[stamp top right] CENSORED BY M.C.L. CONCORD

Dear Dr. Miriam:

Your article in Backfire in The Witness is great. The men are enjoying. Thank you for sending on the magazine. Thank you also for your good letter which came earlier.

The group hopes you and Mrs. Thomas may be able to make it for our regular session on Friday, November 26, at 1:30 p.m., or the week after, same time. However, if you find it more convenient to come in the morning, I am sure Mr. Pozerycki will be glad to accomadate you.

Francis visited today and told me Karen did a good job on our street (Cedar St.) for muscular dystrophy, and has already made the deposit in compliance with instructions. "She is a good little salesman," her father told me. One man gave five dollars. Anyway, Karen took pleasure in her part in the fund drive, and I hope this may be the beginning of her involvement in community affairs together with other bright, fine youngsters to whom after all tomorrow's burden of responsibility for the shape of things shall pass.

Our wonderful Helen Bryan wrote from Dorset, Vt. What a lovely person she is. Also received a report on his activities in Hawaii from Professor Fuchs. One of the best of men.

I am glad your grandson George visited. Francis Jr. has been home from Fort Dix, N.J., several times. He is chauffeur to a colonel there and of course we are all happy about that.

I am hopeful that Francis and Rita will be able to provide a couple of sets of square dancers for your Christmas Party for the MD children. God bless you.

Ever with awe and respect and love, Jim Kerrigan

SDG NEWSLETTER

Dr. Miriam Van Waters 14 Clark St. Framingham, Mass.

[text top right] Massachusetts Correctional Institution West Concord, Mass.

[text right side] December 1, 1965

Dear Members and Friends

The Second Annual Self-Development Group Smoketalk will be held on December 15, at 7:30p.m., in the local dining room. Each of you is cordially invited. Ample parking facilities are available across the street. Only coffee and cake will be served this year, so please have supper before you drive up. Guest speaker for the occasion shall be Dr. Miriam Van Waters of Framingham.

Outside meetings have been approved by the Parole Board. This is regarded by SDG as the most significant breakthrough in real corrections in this century. The first meeting, fittingly enough, will be convened at the home of Professor Lloyd Weinreb in Watertown. Dr. Weinreb (Harvard Law School) is friend and consultant to SDG as well as the official representative of our affiliate organization, the Commonwealth Service Corps.

CSC founder and adviser to SDG, Professor Lawrence M. Fuchs of Brandeis, writes from the University of Hawaii that there is no place like the Land of the Leis and Aloha. He is writing four books there (nothing to it for this 20-hour per day man), plus keeping up with what is going on in the Center for Cultural Interchange Between East and West. In his spare time, Dr. Fuchs just drives around like anyone here on the mainland and takes it easy.

SDG now totals 30 outside members; 34 inside members. 87% of our people are staying out of prisons, some for over two years; on average, over one year. Several fulltime members are active in the program. Others shall become so. The SDG movement will generate more momentum in 1966. The Commonwealth needs it. The nation needs it.

Be seeing you at the smoketalk. self-development group

P.S. Thanks for writing despite the heavy schedule you keep just now - and mostly always. Your letter came yesterday. Oh, yes, it will be great if your friend from Manchester makes it to the smoketalk. So write her by all means.

All's well here. I'm still laughing about the [mouse?] in Cynthia's purse which Howard Dearborn made for her - and I'm so glad he did that. We all are. Best from each of us.

Love, Jim Kerrigan

[stamp left side] CENSORED BY M.C.L. CONCORD

[text top right] Box 00 W.Concord Mass. Dec. 2 1965

[stamp centre] CENSORED BY M.C.L. Concord

Dear Dr. Miriam:

It was great to have your good letter of the 23rd. I am glad most of the writers with reference to your splendid article in The Witness favor SDG.

On the 15th, please speak on both subjects, i.e., the women who have most influenced prison reform and human betterment,AND the forty delinquent lads you took on the two weeks' camping adventure. We could never opt for one. It should be a stimulating evening all round. The rest and myself surely look forward to meeting your young idealist who is thinking of working in the penal world, Miss Osman. As you know, I use the term "idealist" with utmost reverence. There just aren't enough to go round, not only in the prisons but in every area of human struggle.

Professor Weinreb came and delivered the good news today: the Parole Board has finally approved outside meetings for SDG members on release. Chairman McCormack plans to come and talk with us this week. We feel that this is the real beginning of the outside structure of our organization, permission to work together toward the realization of what SDG has talked about for three years. We are ready, thank God.

The recent setback in Federal Court for John was a disappointment, of course, but allowance had been made for it. The Circuit Court will review the decision, then, if necessary, the Supreme Court in Washington. Meanwhile, lest the Escobedo grounds do not finally apply in John's case, other grounds are ample and in the process of preparation. Victory is inevitable; how soon or late is the only question. Meanwhile, one certainty heartens the family in addition to our faith in the ultimate reversal, namely, John's spirit that, like your own, "never feels defeated."

I love your gold-embossed stationary.

Finally, I regret to report that King Tut (if it was King Tut) and his family flew the coop from right under our noses. Presumably gone off to his own winter quarters.

All the members join me in wishing you the best.

Ever with love, Jim Kerrigan

P.S. I am glad Donald Thomas was home with his famly last weekend.

[text top right] Dec. 16 1965

Dear Dr. Miriam,

Donald Painten said you wanted a few copies of the smoketalk welcome - enclosed.

You were really very wonderful, as usual, & I wished to tell you so at the break but got talking with John [Cort], director of Comm Service Corps, and we were still at it when everyone else had gone. I was quite moved when you received two ovations standing, led by the audience. And we do look forward to June, when we hope you may tell us about the lads at Camp. Sorry this was so short this time. Rick [Stoutly] said it best for all of us - "I could listen to her around the clock."

Wrote Xmas meeting to Amy Osmen & Miss [Christianson], [c/o of?] of [Yours?]. Love from all, Jim Kerrigan

[stamp bottom left] CENSORED BY M.C.L. CONCORD