Don't get me wrong, the things inside these stores can entertain prisoners for hours. The issue is being in the store that smells like potpourri with 3 prisoners, all whom have their own and vastly different agendas. Tonight was one of those trips. Initially scheduled to get #1 a t-shirt for a tie dye project, it quickly devolved as #3 found knock off American Girl Doll clothes. #2, in typical male fashion, wanted nothing to do with the store because there were no video games.
Luckily there were few people in this particular store tonight, and no older ladies to glare at the guard as the prisoners ran in different directions in search of something to insist they could not live another moment without.
After what seemed like 14 hours, the three prisoners converged on one single isle. At the end was a cardboard display of markers of which each color had a different smell which resembled little like the advertising and brought back memories of elementary art class where you always tried to shove your buddy's head into the market as he sniffed it.
This display is remarkable due to the fact that other out of control prisoners previously found it and 'tested' the markers, making it look like a subway train leaving the Bronx. My prisoners decided to tag the display as well. #2 wrote his name in his favorite color. #3 drew flowers and also wrote her name. #1 wrote a name as well. But it was a name that we all share-- our family name. Perfect teaching moment for a life lesson-- NEVER write your last name when doing graffiti. It is bad enough to use your first name, but at least there is a chance that someone else shares your first name. Last names, at least ours, are not common.
So, there is a craft store, with a cardboard display that is now tagged with enough incriminating evidence that a simple google search would likely lead a craft store manager to our front door. But, at least it is not spray paint on a highway overpass. Thankfully I got that lesson over before it became more of a problem.
