So I've been to prison -- with a get out of jail free card. (I did not pass go, I did not collect 200 dollars, but at least I didn’t loose a turn.) We played what they call an “exhibition game” in the Washington state penitentiary. Exhibition -- makes it sound like some museum display for the public. I find that rather ironic. I think we were the exhibit -- exhibition of the free world in miniature, much to the delight of the convicts. Not that our team is that exciting, but the pen doesn’t seem like a place where a man sees much to make him smile. Stark. Dismal. Austere. The soccer field reminded me of a castle turned inside out, with its thick concrete walls and four guard towers.
"You're my best friend!" our goal keeper called up to one of the guards.
"We aim to please" he assured us. Also rather ironic.
About 200 inmates were allowed to show up for the game. They were disappointed that we didn’t bring our cheerleaders. We don’t have cheerleaders incidentally (are they for teams with winning records?) and if we did we wouldn’t have brought them anyway. So the inmates made us the brunt of their inappropriate comments. Intimidation tactics were unsuccessful, however. We trounced them, scoring all four of the goals, including one on ourselves late in the game for a final score of 3-1. We all shook hands and had prayer together afterwards. They seemed very appreciative.
As we left, one of the inmates looked at us wistfully.
“Y’all stay free now ok? We don’t want to see you here again…unless you’re here to play us another soccer game.”
  ¶ 7:38 PM