The Plain Dealer/Robert E. Dorksen

Armand P. Schaubroeck displays his rock autobiography, “Armand Schaubroeck Steals.”

Ex-con stays clean working for reform

By Kathleen M. Shaw

Ex-convict Armand P. Schaubroeck has been too busy to get into trouble with the law again. He has run for public office, handles a prosperous guitar business, paints vivid pictures displaying prison conditions and promotes his rock autobiography.

On Feb. 2, 1962, Schaubroeck was sentenced to three years in the Elmira Reception Center for a series of burglaries.

"I wasn't scared. I didn't know what prison meant," he said. But he learned.

He watched the interaction between guards and inmates, the homosexual flirting and bribing.

"Brawn is the only thing respected in a reformato-

ry, "' commented Schaubroeck.

A boy would "come in with a mild attitude, kind of devilish, and then harden." Eventually the boy would "flip out" with some extreme religion. Then homosexual influences would take over. "By the time I left," Schaubroeckadmitted, "a young boy was beginning to look good to me."

Schaubroeck's experiences at Elmira resulted in his crusade for prison reform. The ex-convict started a small guitar business in his mother's basement; this year it will have a $1-million volume. In 1972 Schaubroeck ran for state senator. Although defeated, he stated his aim in running "was not to win, it was to make prison reform an is-

sue.

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Schaubroeck, 28, displays his paintings depicting prison conditions in libraries. He has lectured at colleges and has released “Armand Schaubroeck Steals," a rock play showing "the adventures of youthful offenders in a maximum security prison."

Schaubroeck criticizes penal institutions for having no real vocational training, being extremely "colorless" and isolating the prisoner from his family and society. "It's no surprise that 70% return to prison, convicted of worse crimes.'

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When running for senator, Schaubroeck urged two reforms, hoping to end the severe isolation from society.

First, "wives should be allowed to visit in trailers," he said. If the mate should be a homosexual, "Look the other way."

Second. Schaubroeck urged big businesses to put in workshops paying a reasonable rate so some real training can take place. The convict would have a chance to prove himself and could hope to obtain a job with the company after being released.