Jagen's dedication to improving the lives of inmates has earned him the 2005 Jefferson Award for Public Service, a national honor awarded to five Southeast Texans. Jagen, 52, became interested in inmate rehabilitation when he saw prisoners competing at a Toastmasters International speech competition in Louisiana. Toastmasters International is an organization focused on building leadership and communication skills. After seeing how the prisoners effectively communicated their thoughts through words instead of violence, Jagen knew he had to launch a program locally. "At first I thought I was going to save them from their problems, but I quickly learned that that's not why I was there," Jagen said. "They (inmates) just needed someone to believe in them and not judge them." Today, Jagen oversees a non-profit association called Taking Flight, which is affiliated with 22 inmate rehabilitation clubs and eight satellite groups across the country and overseas. "He's always been determined and focused," said Betty Jagen, his wife of almost 30 years. “Like any program, Taking Flight has had its ups and downs,” Betty said. “Sometimes inmates transfer to different facilities, which causes membership to dwindle,” she added. "The average person might have given up along the way, but Paul has kept his faith," she said. Recently Jagen met with an alumnus of the program who contacted him after being released. The former inmate thanked Jagen for the inmate rehabilitation program and helping him start his life again. "I've learned that I'm not smarter or better," Jagen said. "If my life took a wrong turn, I could be in their situation. They're just like us and people don't understand. Sometimes all people need is encouragement." |
