Of all the things anyone can bring to their work, passion may be the most valuable.
Some jobs, like the positions held by Donna J. Knodel and Shelly Palsma, who work in South Dakota’s Department of Corrections, almost demand heartfelt dedication to daily tasks.
Both women work with inmates in South Dakota’s state prisons. Palsma works in the Mike Durfee State Prison (MDSP) Parole office. Knodel devotes her days to working as a Chemical Dependency Counselor for the State of South Dakota.
“Before I took this job, I worked at the Human Services Center (HSC) with individuals who had serious deficits,” Knodel says. “In working with them, I learned that they had a passion for living a normal life. I gained compassion and respect for them and wanted to help them reach their goals. I have that same kind of desire to see my current clients succeed.”
Palsma has the satisfaction of seeing inmates take steps to leave MDSP and go back to their families.
“There are many things that have to be in place before inmates can be released,” Palsma says. “It’s often challenging to get it all done in time, but we want to give inmates every possible tool they need to succeed once they leave here.”
Ensuring that inmates meet all the legal and technical requirements related to ending their incarceration, seeing to it that plans are in place for them to receive prescription medication and making sure their housing needs are in place helps parolees successfully re-enter their community.
“When inmates have no family or friend helping them after their release, they have to accumulate a certain amount of funds before they leave,” Palsma says. “Those funds assist them with deposits for rent and other needs they have once they return to their community.”
Both women juggle many responsibilities in their workplace as well as in their personal lives. While they face daily challenges in both aspects of their lives, Knodel and Palsma have no second thoughts about investing the energy their jobs require.
“One of the most challenging things about my work is helping clients maintain morale,” Knodel says. “We promote a learning environment, but also need to maintain security of the institution. Working for a big institution has its problems, but when we clearly communicate we work well as a team and its easier to get the job done.”
Knodel’s high-need clients sometimes deal with both criminal and mental health issues, making successfully completing daily tasks even more important.
“We work closely with mental health professionals who are part of our team,” Knodel says. “That allows us to pool our resources to help meet client needs. Often, clients have exhausted most of their community support before they reach my desk and face difficult challenges in gaining employment and adequate housing. Multiple issues are addressed in each client’s recovery plan, which needs to be both workable and successful.”
Among the hurdles Palsma encounters in processing inmate release plans is helping families adjust to changes in release plans.
“Sometimes family members are greatly disappointed when a release is delayed,” Palsma says. “Because there are so many rules and policies related to inmate release, it’s not always easy to explain what held things up. Often there’s a perception that once the parole board grants a release, inmates can walk away from the institution right away. That’s not how it works.”
Palsma has a longtime connection to Mike Durfee State Prison because she attended college there and worked in a college office before it was converted to a prison.
“I started working in the parole office here in 1999,” Palsma says. “But I worked in another capacity here since 1984, the year that University of South Dakota-Springfield became a prison.”
Many may find it intimidating to work in the State’s prison system. Neither Knodel nor Palsma see it that way.
“When I took this job I had no idea what type of clients I’d be working with,” Knodel says. “I was fearful, at the same time I thought it couldn’t be all that bad. It’s been a pleasant surprise to find that, on most occasions, in dealing with the inmate population, I’m treated with respect. They deserve to receive that same respect from me. While there are some who choose prison as a way of life, most want to leave their prison experience behind them and do well.”
Palsma enjoys seeing inmates reunited with their families.
“Sometimes the inmate didn’t appreciate their family until they were separated from them,” Palsma says. “When they leave here they realize it’s a privilege to have a family waiting for their return.”
Both women appreciate the opportunity they have through their work to positively impact the lives of others.
“In a position like this, you’re exposed to all walks of life,” Knodel says. “You meet interesting people and walk beside individuals who go through some of their greatest joys as well as their worst nightmares and heartaches. In spite of the challenges, this kind of work feeds my soul. Where there is life there is hope, hope for positive change. In terms of progress, counseling is measured in baby steps, but I’m a very patient person.”
“I hope to make a difference in people’s lives,” Palsma says.
“Much of their success is in their own hands, but it’s rewarding for me to do what I can to help them achieve success once they leave here. Sometimes it seems you’ll never get on top of all the things that need to be done. But I know it’s all worth doing. You don’t see results right away, but the day comes when that inmate recognizes your effort to make a difference.”
Both women agree it takes wisdom and patience in order to balance the demands of their job with their personal lives.
“You hear many tragic stories and you have to put your work life in perspective with life outside the institution,” Knodel says.
“You need good sound boundaries because prison populations contain some serious manipulators and you could fall victim to them if you’re not prepared.
“Progress is slow but with persistence and patience there will be positive outcomes,” Knodel adds. “I believe one needs to be a visionary, you have to see and think it before change will happen.
You also have to find your own peace and contentment at the end of the work day. You interact with many people every day, trying to read them, identifying new directions they could take, being creative, motivating and realistic. Unless you take good care of yourself, it could quickly burn you out.”
