Life behind bars is a circumstance most people would want to avoid, but imagine if you had to teach the kids behind bars.

Hannah Wehr is the author of the book “Thugness Is a Virtue,” about her first year teaching at a juvenile detention center in Northern California.

“It’s about all the successes, trials, and tribulations that go on there,” said Wehr.

Wehr came onto campus on March 23 to discuss not only the book, but her experiences working at the juvenile detention center for the past five years.

Wehr started out by volunteering for a facility in Orange County where she taught a young man serving a life sentence how to read and write. After doing so, she got a job in Northern California at the correction center. The job working there has changed her as a person.

“I have become more patient, more hopeful, more sad and more amazed at the kids,” said Wehr.

Wehr’s book is required reading for Sandra Hunter’s English MO1A class. Hunter got an advance copy of the book from Wehr and wrote a review on it for the back of the book. She said the book is one all students should read.

“Deals with reality, and one that is unreal to the kids reading it,” said Hunter. ” It just shows how the [Juvenile] system is broken, and needs change.”

Students who attended the conference were able to ask Wehr questions about working at the juvenile center. They also got to learn more about the author.

Kevin Maunu, electrical engineer major, said the book is a difficult read, but it is a great one. He suggests students to check it out.

“She has been an inspiration to me,” said Maunu. ” Made me rethink what I am doing with my life, almost like a kindred spirit.”

Wehr is looking to turn the book into a film in the future. She is also looking into finding a way to help the clients once they get out of the facility. She has a passion for helping them and is making sure that at the end they walk out with a change.

“There is no such thing as a lost cause,” said Wehr. “Not everything for these kids is set in stone.”