Former correctional officer turned professor, John Gonsler has his fair share of crazy stories.
John Gonsler is a current Morningside University criminal justice professor. He came to Morningside when the criminal justice program first began and knew this is where he is meant to be once he began talking to other employees at the college. Within his teaching style, he wants students to realize what they want to be but he does not care if his students end going into law enforcement. His favorite part of being a professor is teaching intro classes and seeing students find value in what is being taught. Along with that, his goal is to expose students to information about multiple careers and leave knowing what they want to do with their degree. During the interview he stated “There are some people that should not be cops” this makes one believe that he will help guide his students down the path that is best for them. While starting his second year at Morningside, he is also getting his PhD in criminal justice.
There are plenty of stories that John had to share about his days working in prison. The particular prison that he worked in was a 2.5 on a 4 point scale, this was considered a medium security prison but the prisoners were both medium and maximum level. Setting the scene he began by sharing that the prison was dorm styled instead of individual cells like most and all corrections officers were only provided with handcuffs and pepper spray. During his first week on the job, there was one prisoner that kept circling the perimeter and asking him stupid questions in what seemed to be a distracting manor. Once he was fed up with the prisoner he went and checked the chest he was provided for personal belongings and found tons of drugs inside. This prisoner happened to be storing drugs for a gang that was incarcerated. The leader of this gang cornered the questioning man and beat him up because him being suspicious got their drugs confiscated. The gang leader later made the drug storer apologize to Gonsler for bothering him. Along with this, he shared many stories including being penpals with the unibomber, finding a shank made by a prisoner with his name on it, and prisoners making tattoo machines out of headphones and batteries.
When asked whats one thing he would change about the justice system, he stated that the United States is the most incarcerated country in the world and it may not need to be that way. When he began working in prison, there was a prisoner that had been there for twenty-six years on drug charges and was still serving time. On the other hand, a prisoner that had committed a double homicide only served twelve years and was released. Someone should not be in jail for drugs longer than someone that killed another human being. Taxpayer money pays for prisoner healthcare and needs and 65% of prisoners return once they have left due to the fact they would rather be in prison where they can shower and eat everyday than be out on the streets dirty and starving.