Life After Prison

(A note before you read: I wrote this from my cell, preparing to face the parole board. I'm sharing it exactly as I wrote it then, because if you're inside working toward your own date, I want you to see what preparing honestly looks like.)

I am not naive to the potential stressors I will face once I am released back into society after spending decades in prison. I know it will be extremely difficult, because I will be dealing with issues I have never had to deal with in my life. I will have to learn how to be independent in the free world, which is far different than having to function in a controlled environment where the choices I have to make are limited, and my basic needs are taken care of by others. Upon entering society, there will be more decisions to make on a daily basis, more responsibilities to balance, and I will be required to manage my own finances. I must do all that while assimilating into a society that I've never been a part of, getting used to people and norms that are completely foreign to me. So, how will I deal with such stress? How can the board be assured that I won't return to my old ways? I ask you to please consider the transition I made from level 4 to level 3.

Coming to a level 3 after spending 25 years in level 4 prisons was a culture shock. I was no longer isolated in a cell a majority of the time. The program was wide open and I was exposed to far more people and a wide variety of personalities. I was thrown into the fire, put in high-stress situations that I had never faced, and I had to learn how to deal with them on the fly. Yet I didn't buckle under the pressure. I rose to the occasion, and took advantage of the opportunity to learn new skills and grow as a person.

I learned how to communicate and interact with others in a pro-social manner. I learned patience in dealing with the various situations that arose on a daily basis. I learned to practice self-discipline and self-control as I began to take on more responsibilities such as: church leader, full-time student, full-time employee, and regular group attendant. Moreover, I managed to do all of this while preparing for board and dealing with my mother's battle with cancer. I was able to do it without turning to my old ways because I remained focused on my goals and purpose. I wasn't trying to live up to others' expectations or seeking after immediate gratification, but I remained diligent as I pursued a higher education and skills that I knew would help me function as a contributing member of society.

When times got tough I asked for help, and was able to gain more and more confidence. I realized that I could accomplish the things I set my mind to, and there were people who were willing to help. Additionally, I realized I could do anything I put my mind to; it just took commitment and hard work. Also, I learned that I could do it all without giving in to the various temptations that are ever present. I have remained on course despite some very difficult times, showing that I can overcome disappointments, discouragement, struggles, and challenges that arise in life in a productive and pro-social manner.

I believe that I have set myself up to succeed once I am released. I have obtained vocational training, a college degree in counseling, and have taken many courses in business which will assist me in the job market. Moreover, I have developed soft skills that will also help me, and tools that will aid me in dealing with the stressors of daily life. I will continue to remain committed and work hard just as I have been doing. Just because I am getting out doesn't mean it's over. No, that is just another opportunity to use what I've learned, and continue to grow as I enter the next phase of my life.

I know it will be hard, but I do have a lot of help. I believe the transition I made to level 3 helped prepare me for the similar challenges that lie ahead. It showed that I can deal with drastic change. I thank you for your time.

(They found me suitable. I'm home, and everything I wrote about the work continues to be true out here.)