By Lindsey Coblentz

Imagine walking down a narrow corridor lined with barred cells, each containing a prisoner.

What thoughts and memories lie within the minds of these prisoners, and what stories does prison life have to tell?

That is exactly what the members of the University of Louisville’s Sociology Student Association wanted to find out.

The Sociology Student Association (SSA) is a new organization to U of L, receiving its official status as an RSO this year.

SSA is an organization that is for both undergraduate and graduate sociology students, as well as students who are simply interested in the field of sociology.

Dr. Ryan Schroeder, who serves as the faculty advisor for the group, said he sees the organization as a great opportunity for sociology students.

“It (SSA) serves as an important support group, a key social networking tool and an advocacy group for sociology students,” said Schroeder.

“It gives students the opportunity to participate in a wide range of other activities and functions.”

One of these opportunities was for the students to tour the Kentucky State Reformatory on Oct. 18.

Opening in 1936, the medium security facility houses 1,998 inmates.

Before this experience, most of the students had never visited a prison, including Angie Cornett, a first year graduate student in sociology.

“Because I’ve never been to a prison, I just know what I’ve seen in movies,” said Cornett.

As the group prepared to file into the prison, there was a sense of excitement as well as nervousness.

“If anything happens, I have a medical card in my back pocket,” said Jessica Elliott, a junior sociology major with a minor in women and gender studies, as she stepped into the building.

The tour began in the segregation unit, the section of the prison where the more troublesome inmates are kept.

Being one of the older sections of the facility, this area has no air conditioning and can reach temperatures of around 140 degrees in the summer months.

Prisoners are kept in small, cubicle-sized cells with an all metal toilet and a small metal bed.

Following the segregation unit, the group made its way into what is known as “the yard.”

The outside area is the part of the facility where inmates of good behavior can roam around the grounds.

This was the best opportunity for the students to have one-on-one interactions with the prisoners.

Although the students weren’t to directly address the prisoners, an officer accompanying the group took questions and addressed them to the prisoners.

For Shanae Posey, a senior sociology major, this opportunity was an important part of the learning experience. “I thought it was an awesome experience to be able to look at their perspective of things,” said Posey.

The group visited the psychiatric ward, where inmates who may be harmful to themselves or others because of mental ailments are kept, and the arts and crafts center. Students were also able to see the cafeteria facilities as well as the exercise center.

Following the tour, the students were eager to share the experience with others. “It’s all I’ve been able to talk about,” said Elliott.

With the conclusion of this trip, members of the SSA have many other experiences to which they look forward.

Besides taking part in a variety of events, the SSA is also an organization focused on service.

“SSA puts a lot of focus on service, especially in the Louisville area,” said Katie Greenwell, a senior sociology major who serves as the organization’s president.

“Whether you’re interested in sociology or in service opportunities, just check it out.”