UTAH STATE PRISON — Donald Klink sits on his bunk doing something most people wouldn't expect from a convicted felon.
As other men in white inmate uniforms mill around the prison dormitory's dayroom, the 48-year-old deftly runs another chain of stitches on the vibrant green blanket he's crocheting.
"I really enjoy it. It keeps me out of the mix. It's soothing for the soul," Klink said earlier as he displayed a completed waffle-pattern blanket made with a double crochet stitch.
Klink is one of 400 in the Con-Quest program, which is housed at the Utah State Prison. Con-Quest — dubbed a "therapeutic community" — is a highly structured, 12-month drug and alcohol treatment program for inmates with substance abuse problems. Crocheting, although not currently offered as a formal class, is a means of helping prisoners change their lives.
"When I first walked in it was kind of funny to see a 280-pound man with tattoos on his head and face sitting there with a ball of yarn crocheting a puppy dog," Jeremy Reed said.
Reed, 25, is among six Con-Quest residents who crochet blankets, scarves and hats for donation to Primary Children's Medical Center or LDS Humanitarian Services. He has been in the program for almost four years, and although he graduated, he stays on to "teach what I've learned from the program, try to help out the new residents that come in, and by doing that, further my recovery."
One of the concepts residents learn in Con-Quest is to "stop, be quiet and get space" when they feel frustration or anger taking hold.
"(Crocheting) is a perfect avenue to be able to do that," Reed said. "It's a real good outlet. You can put on your headphones, sit on your bunk and crochet your frustrations away."
Like Klink, Reed learned to crochet by trial and error under the watchful eye of another inmate. Michael Jensen's introduction to the craft, however, came as a young boy at his grandmother's knee.
"For about 30 years I thought, 'Man, what kind of sissy does that?' " Jensen admitted.
But after being locked up in the state prison in Gunnison, the 48-year-old said he took up a crochet hook again and started creating blankets, stuffed animals and other projects. When he was placed in Con-Quest nearly four years ago, Jensen said he "jumped on the bandwagon" with the crochet project.
"It actually puts good memories in my head," said Jensen, who also remains in the program to help others. "It's memories of sitting with my grandma and watching her … before I was a troublemaker.
"It's one of the core things that my grandma taught me was to help others and that's coming through now," he added. "You always hope that somebody gets (the crocheted item) who truly needs it. There's truly good people out there who need help."
Primary Children's frequently receives donations from a variety of groups, said Bonnie Midget, director of public relations. The items, ranging from toys to blankets and hats like those crocheted at the prison, bring comfort to patients and their families.
"It's deeply moving to the families," Midget said. "These people who have made (the items) never get to give them to the children, but nevertheless, they need to know that they are much appreciated and people feel their love and their concern as they receive these gifts because they know someone in the community made them."
Con-Quest director Donna Kendall said she wants to start its formal crocheting class again because of the benefit it provides inmates and the community. The class was stopped after some participants were caught sending projects made with donated yarn to their own families. Only projects made with yarn inmates buy from the prison commissary can go to family members, she said. Projects made with donated yarn must be given to an organization like the hospital or LDS Humanitarian Services.
"I want to give the residents every opportunity to develop their skills and broaden their horizons," Kendall said, "and service, to me, is one of the things that makes our community better."
Klink said each crocheted item may take up to 20 hours to complete. He said when he can't sleep at night he often finds himself working on a project to mentally escape from the stress of prison life.
Reed agreed.
"I just sit on my bed and lose myself in it," he said. "It's good for the soul."
Reed said his time in the Con-Quest program, with its lessons about self-improvement and service to others, has him dreaming of what his life can be like once he's released from prison.
"I imagine if I can accomplish the things I've accomplished while being locked up, what can I accomplish with all the freedoms that come with being on the streets?" he said. "It gives me hope."
To donate yarn
Individuals interested in donating yarn to Con-Quest must fill out a donation form that can be obtained from program director Donna Kendall by calling 801-576-8241. The donation can then be sent to the prison with a note that it is to be delivered to Promontory Facility/Con-Quest Program in care of Donna Kendall, director of Con-Quest.
To donate yarn
Individuals interested in donating yarn to Con-Quest must fill out a donation form that can be obtained from program director Donna Kendall by calling 801-576-8241. The donation can then be sent to the prison with a note that it is to be delivered to Promontory Facility/Con-Quest Program in care of Donna Kendall, director of Con-Quest.
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